Memorials of the English affairs, or, An historical account of what passed from the beginning of the reign of King Charles the First, to King Charles the Second his happy restauration containing the publick transactions, civil and military : together with the private consultations and secrets of the cabinet.

July 1650

(July 1.) Letters that the King landed in Scotland, 16. of June, but so privately, that it was not known till the 24. of June.

That they have levyed to be immediately at a Rendezvous 10000 Foot and 27 Troops of Horse besides their old Army, and refolve to invade Eng∣land, if England do not invade them first,

That 2000 of their Foot are about Leith, which is strongly fortifyed for a reserve. * 1.1

That the Scots give it out that Cromwel hath a Commission to come for Scotland with Fire and Sword, and is to give no Quarter to any Scots Man, and must have all that he can conquer for himself and his Souldiers, this they report, to incense the People against the English.

That some of their Friends in England advised them to write to the Parliament here, to know whether they intend to come into Scotland, and whether the March of their Army Northwards be in an offensive, or defensive way.

That this they have done, and hope, the de∣bate of it, will produce some interruption or de∣lay of their march. That the Kirk there appoint∣ed a general day of Humiliation.

(2) The Parliament published a Declarati∣on of the Grounds of their Armies March North-wards.

An Act passed for preventing and suppressing * 1.2 the detestable Sins of prophane cursing and Swear∣ing.

Every Lord to pay for the first Offence 30 s. Every Baronet and Knight 20 s. every Gentleman 6. s. 8. d. every other Person 3. s. 4. d. the second Offence to be doubled to the 10th. and for that the Party to be bound to the good Behavi∣our.

Referred to a Committee to consider what Pub∣lick Officers are burdensome to the Common-wealth, and how they may be taken away or re∣gulated, for the ease of the People.

Order that Mr. Strickland the Parliaments Resi∣dent in Holland, do take the Subscriptions of the English Mercants there to the Ingagements, and such as refuse, to be disabled from having any Vote in the Company.

Order that C. Ludlow be Lt. G. of the Horse in Ireland, and that Commissioners be sent over thi∣ther with Instructions from the Parlia∣ment.

Letters that the Scots in Ireland contributed to the Popish Forces.

Letters that the Plague was broken out in Shrews∣bury.

Letters from the Fleet, before Lisbon, That the Brazile Fleet, consisting of 9 English Ships, and as * 1.3 many Portugals and French, coming forth, The Parliaments Generals stopped all the English Ships, and their lading of Passengers and Souldiers, and sent another message to the King of Portugal, to demand the English Ships under Prince Rupert, but he and his Councel answered, that it was an unreasonable demand.

That the English Agent there escaped in a Dis∣guise to the Fleet, but the English Merchants at Lisbon, who were Friends to the Parliament were imprisoned by the Kings Order. That they tendred an Ingagement to the rest of the English, to endea∣vour the reinthroning of King Charles the Se∣cond.

From Barnstable of a design to destroy all the Parliament Party in that Town, and thereabouts, prevented by small means through the Mercy of God, was this day celebrated with great Solemni∣ty.

(4) Letters of a Spanish Ambassador landed in the Downs, and of a French Man of War with some English in her, who took small English Vessels near Pool.

Of the Treasure Waggons going Northwards to the Army.

Of a Vessel loaden with Iron under sail from Tsalee in Ireland, newly gone out of the Harbour, when a Party of the Lord Broghils Forces coming thither, haled her to come back, but she being un∣der Sail, regarded them not, but made on her way.

Whereupon 20 of the Troopers stripped them∣selves, making as if they would swim to her, and storm her, and two of them who could swim well, came uP to her, which so amazed those in the Vessel, that they hoised out their Boat on the other side of the Ship, and got away; leaving the Ship and her loading to the two valiant Troop∣ers.

Of the Plague breaking forth near Barnsta∣ble.

(5) Letters of the L. Willoughbyes arrival in the Barbadoes, Where he lay concealed eight dayes, untill he had contrived his business with * 1.4 some great Delinquents there, and then ap∣peared as the chief Governour, and proclaimed King Charles the second.

Of the seizing the Ships bonnd for Brazile from Lisbon by the Parliaments General at Sea, and all the Ammunition and Provisions in them, and some French Ships blocking up that Haven.

(6) Letters of a Message sent from the Scots * 1.5 Parliament to M. G. Lambert at the same time when they sent to the English Parliament, to know the reason of their Armys march Northwards and urging That by the large Treaty, no Act of Hostili∣ty or Invasion ought to be upon each other, before three Months notice given.

That the Messenger is detained (but not un∣der restraint) without answer, till the Pleasure of the Parliament be known.

That Cromwell coming to York, the Lord May∣or, Aldermen, and Sheriffs attended him, and in∣vited * 1.6

him and his Officers to dinner, where they were highly caressed.

From Ireland, That the Bishop of Clogher in∣terposed between Sir Charles Coot and C. Venea∣bles with an Army of 10000 Irish, and caused Sir Charles Coot several times to retreat, but at length * 1.7 his Forces took such Courage, that they resolved to fight the Bishop, and after an hours hot dispute it pleased God to deliver that great Army into their hands.

That the Bishop their General received many wounds, and in a few hours after he was taken Prisoner, dyed of them, that their Lt. G. Oneal was slain, with their Quarter Master General, and nine Collonels, inferiour Officers very many, and 3000 common Souldiers.

That the names and qualities of their Officers Slain and taken, were not then known, a mes∣singer being dispatched with a General account of the business till they could have time to particula∣rize, that some of the Prisoners confest, if they could have given a defeat either to Sir Charles Coot or C. Venables, that the Bishop resolved to draw his Army into Scotland, to promote the Kings affaires there.

(8) Letters that the Scots King was still at Dundee, that they could not agree about his com∣ing to Edenburgh, nor about his Coronation, that * 1.8 Commissioners from the Parliament, and a Com∣mitee of the Kirk were with him about signing the Propositions.

That a party of the Scots Horse were drawn within 20 Miles of Berwick which gave an allarm; and caused the Parliaments Forces thereabouts to be in a ready Posture to receive them; but they came not on.

From Sir Charles Coot, that his party with him being but 600 Horse and 800 Foot, he sent to C. * 1.9 Venables to come and joyn with him, but the Bishop of Clogher with his Army being then about 4000 Foot, and 600 Horse fell in between them to hinder their conjunction.

The Enemy incamped themselves on a boggy ground within 2 Musket Shot of our Leaguer, and after a∣bout 4 hours, began to draw off with most of their For∣ces over a pass, which I perceiving called the Officers together, and it was thought fit to charge the Enemy in the Rear with about 200 Horse, keeping our foot and the rest of the Horse intire.

Our Horse Fell on with a great deal of gallantry, and charged through 2 divisions of their Foot; but their Horse, being quite behind their Foot, Finding our Horse in some disorder, Fell on them, and forced them to retreat.

Whereupon C. Richard Coot advancing with part of his Regiment to relieve our men; the Enemies Horse Faced about, and were beaten back again into their main Body.

We lost only in this conflict Captain Taylor (who dyed most gallantly in the midst of the Rebels Pikes) and 7 Troopers, but took Prisoners a Captain of theirs, and killed at least 6 for one; but they drew off to a pass a Mile below. I Sent Orders to the Country People to remove themselves and their goods, and our Sol∣diers secured the passes between them and the Ene∣my.

C. Fenwick with 1000. Foot came to us, but with∣out any Provisions, and it pleased God to give such courage to our Souldiers, that we Marched up towards the Enemy, who upon sight of our party (they being encamped upon the side of a Mountain inaccessible either for Horse or Foot) drew forth into a piece of Ground, which though extream bad, yet it pleased God to put into our Hearts to advance towards them.

Where we presently ingaged them, and by the bles∣ing of God after an hours hot dispute, with great re∣solution * 1.10 on both sides, we wholly routed them.

Many of them were killed upon the place, and the Execution was 10 or 11 Miles every way that Night. What numbers were slain, I cannot positively say, the Countrey People as well as the Souldiers eagerly pursuing and killing them for two daies af∣ter.

But with modesty I may assure you, there cannot be less than 2000. slain, together with their M. G. 5. Colonels, 1. Bishop, with almost all their Officers and their Lieutenant G. Offorrel, as we are inform∣ed, though his body be not yet discover∣ed,

They lost likwise their Armes, Colours, Baggage, with most of their Horse.

Since my writing thus far, I have received seve∣ral Letters from one party in the pursuit, that they have Killed 6 or 700. more of the Rebels. That M. King with 50 Dragoons had taken the Bishop of Clogher Prisoner much wounded, with several other Pensons of Quality, and 200 Horse, and have killed 2 or 300 more of the Enemy, so that I do verily be∣lieve, there were at least in all 3000 killed.

Those Officers of ours that were most eminently in∣strumental in this great Victory, were C. Fenwick, C. Rich. Coot, Lt. C. Gore, and Captain Duck∣infield.

Whom I have presumed to add, because their me∣rits have justly deserved this my Acknowledgement, to the end (if your Honours think fit) some mark of Honour may be conferred upon them.

(9) The Parliament ordered a day of pub∣lick thanksgiving for the Victory obtained by their Forces under Sir Charles Coot in Ire∣land. * 1.11

An Act passed for the Tryal of Sir John Stowell, David Jenkins, Walter Slingesby, Brown Bushell, William Davenant, and C. Gerrard by an high Court of Justice.

Letters of the ceasing of the Plague about Ti∣verton.

(10) Letters of the spreading oft he Plague * 1.12 in Shrewsbury, That the Governour commanded all the Souldiers that were ill, to be in the Field, and all that were well to continue in the Castle, and not to stir out of it.

From Chester, That the Parliaments Forces in Ireland are 4000 Horse and Foot, That Trecog∣han with 1700 Foot is taken in.

(11) Letters that the Royal Presbyterians about Exon raised many false Reports to dispa∣rage the Proceeding of Parliament; for which some of them were secured till they should pro∣duce their Author.

That the Plague was much dispersed in Salop, and half the Inhabitants removed from thence.

(12) Letters that since the taking of Trecog∣han, the Army was sat down before Carlowe in Ireland.

And That the Earl of Antrim was come in to the Lord Deputy.

That eight Officers of C. Axtels Regiment riding upon the Highway, were murdered by those bloody highway Rogues called the To∣ries.

That a Party sent out by the Lord Deputy fell on some of the Earl of Castlehavens Forces, killed 140 of them, and took twice so many Arms, the rest fled to Carlowe, where they are now besieg∣ed.

That Waterford yet holds out, but in great di∣stress, the Plague and Famine encreasing much upon them.

(13) Letters of Cromwels being at Durham, and marching 24 Miles-a day.

That the King was at St. Johns Town, and the Committee of Estates had sent back all his Follow∣ers, and commanded them to depart the King∣dom by a day, upon great Penalties.

That the Scots Horse upon the Borders were there only to forward the new Levies, and are since retreated, and the new Levies go on very fast there.

That Sir Arthur Haselrigg came from New∣castle, where he is Governour, to meet the Gene∣ral Cromwell at Durham. That seven Ships were taken and brought into Newcastle, one loaden with Arms and Ammunition for Scotland, and in another of them two Purses to carry the Great Seal of Scotland, one very rich for the day of the Coronation, and many Letters from an Alderman of London at the Hague to the King.

That one of the Parliaments Ships going into the Frith of Scotland, the People rose and secured both Ship and men till they drunk the Kings Health upon their knees, and then they were dis∣charged.

(15) Letters of the General his coming to Newcastle, where Sir Arthur Haselrigge the Go∣vernour entertained him with much Gallantry, * 1.13 and they kept a Fast to pray for a Blessing upon their expedition into Scotland. The next day they agreed upon the Letter to be sent to their Brethren in Scotland in general, to satisfy them of the grounds of their present Ingagement.

That the Scots have chosen a Councel, by whose advice the King is to Govern. That the Nobility and Gentry flock to him.

That the Royalists and Presbyterians in Lan∣cashire joyn together to disturb the Parliaments Affairs in those parts against the Army of Secta∣ries, as they call it.

(16) An Act passed for setting the Militia of the Common-wealth, with Instructions for the Commissioners.

An Act passed for Sheriffs to appoint Depu∣ties to receive and transmit the Acts, Orders, and directions of Parliament and Councel of State, and to make return thereof.

Debate of the business of Treasurer of the Navy.

An Act for bringing down the Prizes of Corn and Grain, and preventing abuses in Meal, and in forestalling, committed.

(17) The Letter from the Parliament of, Scotland, together with the Messenger C. Grey were sent to the General, to be by him with a sufficient Guard sent into Scotland, and also the Answer of the Parliament of England to that Letter.

(18) An Act passed touching the removal of Malignants and Papists out of London, &c.

Letters of the great Levies in Scotland, and multitudes drunk with Carowsing the Kings Health. That the Ministers press the People to serve the King against the English Army of Secta∣ries, which they prophesied the Lord would blast, and published may gross mistakes, or un∣truths touching the Parliament of England their Affairs, particularly in Ireland.

That the King had given Satisfaction to the Scots in all things they desired of him; and a Pro∣clamation was published at Edenburgh, giving the King all his Royal Power, and at that time the Cross was covered with Crimson Velvet, and Cloth of Tissue.

Dr. Lewen a Civilian being apprehended for a Spy, and having found about him divers Com∣missions from the Prince to himself, and others, was executed according to a Sentence of the Court Marshal.

(19) Letters of a Man of War of Scil∣ly brought in Prize to Plymouth.

Of C. Desboroughs giving the charge at the * 1.14 Sessions at Exon to the Contentment of the Coun∣try, and of a Woman of Taunton condemned up∣on the new Act, for adultery with a Priest.

(20) Letters of the General his advance to * 1.15 Berwick. Of the Armies Declaration sent into Scotland, of the Grounds of their March into that Kingdom, one Copy of it sent to the Scots Gene∣ral, another to the Parliament, and a third to the Committee of Estates.

That the Scots Ministers in their Prayers say, That if God will not deliver them from the Sectaries, he shall not be their God.

That the Town of Newcastle feasted the Gene∣ral and his Officers.

That the Lord Deputy lies with the Army be∣fore Waterford, Duncannon and Carlowe.

(22) Letters that many who formerly served the Parliament of England in their Army, are now in the Scots Army.

That the Earl of Newcastle and some others were sent away out of Scotland.

That Massy is to command a Regiment in their Army.

That an Act passed in Scotland, for all Persons to come into their Armies, and none to stay in the Countries, lest they should relieve the English Army.

That G. Louen Published a Proclamation, That no Malignant should come near his Army till they had submitted to the Parliament.

An Act passed and several Orders touching the Militia of London and Westminster.

An Act passed against Atheistical, Blasphemous, and Execrable Opinions, and the unlawful meetings of such Persons.

A Declaration passed concerning Delinquents Compositions.

An Act passed to prohibit Trade between this Commonwealth and Scotland.

Upon a Report from the Councel of State, the Parliament approved what they had done, in cau∣sing those of the Earl of Derbies Family in Lanca∣shire to be seized and secured, and a Message sent to the Earl, That if he did continue his harsh usage of the Prisoners he had of the Parliament Party, they would do the like to his Family here; and to demand the Release of those Prisoners.

Of Recruits Shipped for Ireland.

That 800 of the Scots Horse lay upon the Bor∣ders, and the rest of their Forces were about Edenburgh. That the General was come to Mor∣peth.

(23) New Commissioners named for the Excise.

Letters of a Rendezvous of the Scots Army at Haddington, and that one of the Parliaments De∣clarations concerning their Armies Advance for Scotland, was brought to the King whil'st he was at Dinner. That Cromwel's Trumpet was sent with the Declarations of the Parliament and Ar∣my of Scotland.

(24) Letters of one man and two women about Boston, committed for Witches, that the Man confest he had a Familiar suckt him at some Paps which he then shewed. That he had signed a Writing to the Devil to deny God and Jesus Christ, and the Familiar drew blood from those

Paps, and appeared to him in the Shape of a white Chicken.

That he signed the Devils Covenant with a piece of a Stick, with the same mark he now made at the bottom of his Examination, that both the Women confessed the like.

That Captain Allen took a Ship with 7000 Armes bound for Scotland.

(25) Letters that some Troopers having taken three Scots Men and their Horses, the Ge∣neral having notice that they were Countrey Men, checked the Souldiers for meddling with them, commanded their Monies and Horses to be restored, and gave them some of the last Declara∣tions to the People of Scotland, to carry home with them.

(26) Letters that the Ministers in the West generally Preach up the Scots Interest.

That the Fairfax Frigot fought with three French Men of War, and thrice beat off the Assail∣ants who had boarded her, and came safe to Ply∣mouth, but much shattered, and many men kil∣led.

Of the Increase of the Plague in Shrewsbu∣ry.

That M. G. Desborough visited Taunton, and all the Garrisons from Weymouth to Pendennis Castle, and put them in a Posture of Defence.

That the Militia of the Isle of Wight unani∣mously * 1.16 declared to ingage against the King, and against all Scots and French.

Of the Rendezvous of the Army with loud ac∣clamations of Joy and Love to their General, and to one another.

That they were all drawn into Battalia, and marched 2 or 300 paces, then were discharged and went to their Quarters, and the General to Berwick.

That his Trumpet returned from Scotland with a Letter from that Parliament directed To L. G. Cromwel Commander in chief of the Army march∣ing into Scotland. Purporting that they had re∣ceived his Letter, and would suddenly send an Answer by a Messenger of their own.

(27) A Captain Lieutenant by sentence of the Court Marshal, was cashiered at the Head of the Regiment for Drunkenness.

Letters that the Scots were all gone with their Goods towards Edenburgh, by Command of the States of Scotland; upon pain of being Sequestred, and declared Enemies, if they did not remove, so that for the most part, all the men were gone.

But the Wives stayed behind, and some of them did bake and brew, to provide Bread and Drink for the English Army. That those imployed by the State of Scotland upon the Borders, tell the People, That the English Army intends to put all Men to the Sword, and to thrust hot Irons through the Woments Breasts, which much terrifyed them, till the General his Proclamations were published among them.

That the Scots did forbear coming to the Mar∣ket at Berwick.

(29) A Trumpeter came from Scotland to the English Army, with a Declaration in Answer to the Parliaments and Armies Declarations, which in effect was a Defyance. That upon the Armies entring of Scotland, the Scots fired their Beacons.

A Dragooner was sentenced by the Court Mar∣shal to be bored through the Tongue with a hot Iron for Blaspheaming the Name of God in a * 1.17 drunken humour.

The General published a Proclamation, through the Army, reciting that several Souldiers had stragled from their Colours, and inforced Victu∣als from the Scots without paying for them, and * 1.18 frighted some of the People from their Habitati∣ons.

He commands all Officers and Souldiers of his Ar∣my, That none do go without leave to straggle half a Mile from their Quarters on pain of Death.

Letters that the King of Portugal sent to the Parliament General at Sea for a Treaty, but in * 1.19 the mean time exercised great Cruelty towards the English Merchants, and published a Proclama∣tion, That none should conceal an English Man on pain of Death.

That Sir John Culpepper arrived in Russia, Am∣bassador for the King about the English Trade, and that the Emperour and his Councel ordered * 1.20 Banishment for the Merchants, prohibiting them trade for the future, and granted to the Ambassa∣dor 50000 l. in rich Commodities, to be imploy∣ed for the King.

That the Prince of Orange had blocked up the * 1.21 chief Passages to Amsterdam, and pretended Trea∣son in some Burgomasters, as endeavouring to dissolve the Union. They afterwards payed a considerable Summe of Money, and so that busi∣ness was concluded.

(30) Order of the Parliament to lay aside all private business for a Fortnight, and no matter to be in debate, but for Money and other publick Affairs.

Several Persons added to the Bill for sale of Delinquents Estates.

Divers Pardons passed of Course upon Certifi∣cates of the Judges of Assize.

Letters of the Decrease of the Plague in Ireland, That Inchequins Recruits of new layed Men * 1.22 were about 3000, and that the Lord Deputy was gone out to fight them.

That C. Ingoldsby with three Troops of Horse, charged 3000 Horse and Foot of the Irish, routed and killed 900 of them near Lymerick. That there is abundance of Corn upon the Ground, a Sheep good and fat at the Price of 6 s. and a Cow for 20 s.

That the Governour of Carlowe sent to the Lord Deputy to desire a Treaty for Surrender of the Town.

That the L. G. at the Rendezvous made a Speech at the Head of the Army, declaring the grounds of the present expedition, and something in relation to his coming over from Ireland, and * 1.23 the Providence that had designed the Command to him, and exhorted the Souldiers to go on faithful∣ly and resolutely, and not to doubt of the Blessing of God upon their Ʋndertakings, and present Ser∣vice.

That the Souldiers entertained his Speech with great Acclamations, and Orders being given for the Army to March, they went on Shouting as they entred Scotland.

That the General rode through a great Town of Scotland, and there was not a man to be found in it, only two poor Women, because of the com∣mand of Estates of Scotland.

(31) Letters that upon the Parliaments Army entring Scotland, they fired their Beacons, and carryed away all Provisions, so that the Ene∣my was forced to lye still, expecting Provisions to be brought to them by their Ships.

That A Trumpet brought a Declaration from Lt. G. Lesly, with a Letter directed to Lt. Gene∣ral * 1.24

Cromwel, which was thereupon refused to be opened, but sent back.

That M. Barber laid down his Commission up∣on their entring Scotland.

The General published a Proclamati∣on.

That whereas he had lately caused a Proclamati∣on * 1.25 to be published, inviting those in Scotland (where the Army shall come) who by their Councels or other∣wise have not confederated against the Peace of Eng∣land, or laid a Foundation of a second Invasion of England, to stay in their own Houses, where they in Peace should enjoy what they have, without the least offer of violence or Injury by any of the Ar∣my.

He doth strickly require all Officers and Souldiers, that they presume not to offer any manner of Violence or Injury to the Person or Goods of any in Scotland, not in Arms or belonging to the Enemies Ar∣my.

To be proclaimed at the head of each Regi∣ment of Horse, by sound of Trumpet, and of each Regiment of Foot by beat of Drum, and to be afterwards read, at the head of each Troop and Company.

From the Barbadoes, of trouble there by a de∣sign to banish the Independents, but opposed by Lt. C. Drax, and some others that had the Go∣vernour * 1.26 of their part: and their Design was disco∣vered by Lt. C. Codrington one of the Councel of the Island, when he was drunk. That C. Wal∣rond and Muddiford joyned against the Indepen∣dents.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Scotland.
• * 1.2

  Act a∣gainst Swear∣ing.
• * 1.3

  Fleet.
• * 1.4

  Barbados.
• * 1.5

  Message from the Scots.
• * 1.6

  York
• * 1.7

  Ireland Victory.
• * 1.8

  Scotland.
• * 1.9

  Letters from Sir Charles Coot.
• * 1.10

  July.
• * 1.11

  High Court of Justice.
• * 1.12

  Plague.
• * 1.13

  Cromwel.
• * 1.14

  Adultery▪ Act.
• * 1.15

  Scots.
• * 1.16

  Scotland.
• * 1.17

  Blasphe∣my.
• * 1.18

  Proclama∣tion.
• * 1.19

  Portugal.
• * 1.20

  Russia.
• * 1.21

  Amsterdam.
• * 1.22

  Ireland.
• * 1.23

  Cromwel.
• * 1.24

  G. Lesly.
• * 1.25

  Proclama∣tion.
• * 1.26

  Ba••bados.