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.

November, 1645.

Novem. 1. An Ordinance pass'd concerning the Com∣position for Fines in the Court of Wards; & for sign∣ing of B••••••s, and passing them under the great Seal.

An Ordinance for the Government of Bristol, sent up to the Lords.

The House approved of Sir Anthony-Ashly-Cooper to be high-Sheriff of Norfolk, and of other She∣riffs.

Letters from Col. Rossiter, with one inclosed from Prince Rupert, desiring Passes for him, and his Brother, and the rest before-mentioned, to come to London, and from thence to go beyond Sea, ingaging their Honours, never to return to take up Arms against the Parliament; Upon de∣bate * 1.1 thereof, and the Report from the Com∣mittee of both Kingdoms, Who thought this fit to be done. Ordered that Colonel Rossiter should grant them Passes accordingly.

Letters to the Scots Commissioners informed, that the Lord Digby, and Langdale with eight hun∣dred Horse, advancing towards Scotland to joyn with Montross, were fallen upon at Carlile Sands by * 1.2 a party of the Scots Forces under Sir. John Brown, (who though less in number) after a sharp dispute, routed Digby's Party, killed an hundred on the place, took two hundred of their Horses, divers Officers, three Colours, and many Prisoners, dis∣persed the whole Party, and Digby and Langdale fled into the Isle of Man.

(3.) The Form of a Pardon for Delinquents sent up to the Lords.

Order touching their Compositions.

Order about a Convoy for a Spanish Don, to be transported into Flanders.

Orders for raising Moneys, and for the Lord Buck-hurst, to have the fifth part of the Earl of Dorset, his Fathers Estate.

Other Letters taken in the Lord Digby's Cabi∣net at Sherbourne, were read, touching persons im∣ployed to get Foraign Forces to assist the King.

Intelligence, that many of the Kings Forces came in to Sir Thomas Fairfax.

And that since the defeat of the Lord Digby at Carlile-Sands, some of his scattered Forces were met with near Dumfrize in Scotland, where Sr. John Browne took an hundred more of them, Col. Briggs took two hundred of them about Beeston Castle, and M. G. Va••••••uske took an hundred and eighty more of them in Westmerland.

Debate in the House touching propositions for Peace.

Orders to prevent transporting of Irish Rebels to assist the King here, and for Money for the Forces before Dunnington.

Letters from Col. Mitton, Col. Jones, and Col. Lou∣thaine, informed that one thousand seven hundred Horse, and seven hundred Foot, under Sir Willi∣am Vaughan, designing to relieve Chester, the Coun∣cil of War of the Besiegers ordered to draw forth a Party to meet them before they came near Chester.

That one thousand four hundred horse under Col. Jones, and a thousand Foot under Louthaine, all commanded by Mitton, yet leaving the Works * 1.3 manned before Chester, marched to the Kings Par∣ty near Denbigh, and after several hot Ingagements routed Vaughans Party, took about five hundred Horse, and four hundred Foot, slew above an hun∣dred, and pursued them six miles, not above an hundred of them left together.

That M. G. Langherne had taken in Aberathwait, a strong Garrison of the Kings in Cardigan-shire, and in it two pieces of Ordnance, store of Arms and Ammunition.

The House gave fifty pounds to the Messen∣ger of this good News, and ordered a Let∣ter of thanks to Col. Mitton, and the rest for their good Service.

(5.) The day of thanksgiving for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 delive∣rance from the Gun-powder-Treason was solemnly kept.

Sir T. F. By reason of the bad weather and want of Provisions, drew off his Forces to a farther di∣stance from Exeter, but still continued blocking up of the City.

Letters from M. G. Pointz informed the taking of Shelford Mannor near Newarke and the Earl of Chester-fields house.

The Garrison within were very resolute, refu∣sing Summons and Quarter, so that of two hundred the greatest part were slain, and the Governor, the Earl of Chester-fields Son wounded, there were ta∣ken four Colours of Horse, two of Foot, store of Arms, and Provisions.

(6.) The grand Committee sate about Propo∣sitions for Peace.

Debate in the House about regulating the Uni∣versity of Cambridge.

Order for Money for Abbington Garrison.

Colonel Dalbier marched with the Forces of the three Counties to meet with the Hampshire For∣ces at Newberry, for the Besieging of Dunnington Castle.

Intelligence came, that the King by night got * 1.4 out of Newarke, and was come to Oxford.

Mr. Fountain, and Mr. Scot brought Col. Fleet-wood one of the new Knights of Bucks, into the House, with great Triumph, though the Election was but yesterday.

(7.) Order for Sussex to send a Troop of Horse to Abbington, and for allowances for Preaching Mini∣sters in Glocester.

A Petition from Bucks against the Election of their new Knights, as not free, by reason of the Garrisons in that County, and other obstructions and passages, referred to a Committee.

The Lord Cromwell revolted from the King to the Parliament, and was by the Lords committed to the black Rod.

Letters from Scotland informed that Montross keeps the Monntains, and that L. G. Lesley return∣ed from Scotland to New-Castle.

(8.) debate upon a Declaration touching mat∣ters of the Church.

Musgraves Petition Referred.

An Ordinance debated touching stipends for the Officers, and Attendants on the Kings, and Princes Housholds.

The Grand Committee sate in the afternoon a∣bout the East-India Company.

(10.) Debate of a Declaration from the Assem∣bly touching Church-Government.

The Pass agreed upon for Prince Rupert, and the rest of the Commanders, who desired with him to go beyond Seas.

Sir John Burlaces Composition agreed, and three hundred pound of his Fine assigned for the Garri∣son of Abbington, and the Fine of the Lord Downes also.

Order for a new Election for Hampshire.

Order to take off the Fine formerly imposed by the Star Chamber upon L. C. Lilburne, and for the Arrears due to him to be audited.

The Ordinance pass'd for Ordination of Mini∣sters.

The Lord Wharton and other Commissioners re∣turned from Berwick.

The Commissioners of Excise were perswaded to advance ten thousand pound for M. G. Browne.

(11.) The grand Committee sat about Propo∣sitions for Peace.

The House voted that L. Col. Bulstrode should be Governor of Aylsbury.

Bolton Castle, the Lord Scroops House in York-shire was surrendred to the Parliament upon Arti∣cles, and in it store of Ammunition and Provisi∣ons.

(12.) The Commissioners who treated with the Scots about surrendring the Garrisons in their Pos∣session in England, had the thanks of the House for their good Service.

The House voted to insist upon this demand, and that a Letter be sent to the Parliament of Scotland from both Houses here, for this purpose.

Orders for Money and supplys for the Scots Ar∣my intending to sit down before Newarke.

Order for a new Election in Surrey.

Letters informed the taking of Worton house up∣on Articles, and that Welberke house was agreed to be slighted, upon condition of slighting of Tick∣hil Castle, and Belvoir by the Parliaments Forces.

Dalbier was at Aldermaston, and forbore to sit down before Dennington Castle till he had more For∣ces, because of the Kings coming to Oxford.

(13.) Debate touching the Propositions for Peace.

An Ordinance pass'd concerning such Delinquents as come in to the Parliament from the Kings Quar∣ters to declare to a Committee where they lodge, &c.

Major Blundel with a Party from Abbington fell in∣to

the Quarters of a Party of the Kings Life-guard near Walling-ford & took eighty Horse, and Prisoners.

(14.) The Lords concurred in several Ordi∣nances touching Westminster Colledge, sor free∣ing Noble mens Parks from Taxations, and for supplys for Forces.

A Message from the Assembly of Divines to ap∣prove the Translation of the Psalms by Mr. Rowse, for which they had thanks.

Ordinances for reimbursing the Commissioners of ExciseMoneys advanced by them for the For∣ces of M. G. Pointz, and for those before Chester.

A Regiment of the Kings Horse under the Lord Ashton, were routed by the Stafford Horse, the Lord Ashton wounded, and taken Prisoner, with many others, an hundred Horse taken, and divers Killed.

Youghall was distressed for want of Victuals, and in danger of being taken by the Rebels.

(15.) Upon Sir John Heles Petition the House accepted of six thousand pound for his Delinquency.

The Commons desired the Lords to pass the Or∣dinance for sale of Delinquents Estates, and past orders for Moneys for the Army, and for the For∣ces of M. G. Pointz and others.

Confirmation of the taking of Wiverton by the Parliaments Forces.

(17.) Upon the Petition of the Officers late un∣der the Earl of Denbigh, it was reserred to a Com∣mittee to consider of their Arrears, and a way to pay them.

The Election of Mr. Tanfield Vashell for Reading voted to be void, for Miscarriages, and denying the Poll, and a new Election to be there.

Letters from Wales informed, that the Glamor∣gan-shire Forces joyning with a Party of M. G. Langherns, have in several Incounters, defeated two thousand of the Kings Forces, and beat off G. Stradling, from any Recruits; And that the Go∣vernor of Cardiffe, defeated another Party of the Kings, under Mr. Herbert, and that generally the VVelsh declared for the Parliament.

Mr. Buchy Manfield ordered to command the For∣ces in Glamorgan-shire, and Mr. Prichard to be Go∣vernor of Cardiffe, and Mr. Phil. Jones Governor of Swansey.

Letters from the North informed that M. G. Pointz, and Col. Rossiter were before Belvoir Castle, that many from Newarke came in to them, that the Scots Army areupon their March to besiege Newarke.

About sixty of the Kings Forces coming to Led∣bury in Hereford-shire, to take up Quarters, fifteen of Mr. Hoptons men, who had taken up two great Plunderers in those parts; rencountring the Kings Forces, Charged them through, Killed two of them, and took four Prisoners, and in their retreat from thence to Glocester, they fell upon another Party, of the Kings, who were driving two hundred Cattle to their Garrison, which these fifteen Troopers rescued, and restored to the Country Men, having routed their Convoy.

(18.) Debate touching Propositions for Peace.

Order for the Next Summers Fleet as the last, and for the Committee of the Navy to name the Officers, and Ships, &c. to the House, all to be prepared by January.

Dr. Walker referred to the Committee of the Admiralty to give an account of his transactions in Flanders. * 1.5

Pr. Charles sent a Letter to Sir T. F. for a Pass for Hopton and Culpepper to go to the King, to perswade him to comply with the Parliament. Sir. T. F. sent a very respectful answer to the Prince, and advised him to disband his Army as the best way for him, his * 1.6 Posterity and Friends, which if he would do, that Sir T. F. himself would safely Convoy him to the Parliament.

Goring sent Col. Ellyot, and Col. Scroop, to Sir T. F. to desire a Treaty, he answered

that if he would treat in reference to Military Af∣fairs, as Surrender of Garrisons, exchange of * 1.7 Prisoners, or the like, he would consent to it, otherwise he must reser him to the Parliament.

(19.) A Petition from divers of the Common-councel of London, that the Government of the * 1.8 Church may be speedily setled and observed, and that greater power might be given to

the Mi∣nisters and Elders, than was established by the Parliament, according to the Warrant of the Word of God, and about suspension from the Sa∣crament; and about the Suppression of Schisms and Heresies.

This Petition was thought to be contrived by some Presbyterians, and the House aster a long de∣bate upon this Petition, appointed some of their Members to withdraw, and to pen the Answer to the Petition according to the Sence of the House, which was done and agreed unto to this Effect.

That the House had already taken much pains * 1.9 in debating of Church Government, and they conceived the City, and Common-Councel was informed falsely of the proceedings of the House, else they would not have precipitated the Judg∣ment of the Parliament, in this business, how∣ever they take it as a good intention of the peti∣tioners promoting this business.

Another Petition was from divers Ministers of London to the same effect.

The House referred it to the Committee of Ex∣aminations, to find out the design of this days Peti∣tions concerning Church-Government, and who were the advancers thereof; and they sent two of their Members to the Petitioners to tell them,

they need not attend any longer for an answer to their Petition; but to go home, and look to the Charges of their several Congregations.

A Letter from Sir T. F. of thanks for his Jew∣el, and giving account of his Army, with a Pro∣position to send seven or eight thousand Eastward if the House think sit.

The Anti-Parliament at Oxford declared, The * 1.10 Commissioners of the Judges under the great Seal at Westminster, and their Lawyers plead there, to be High-Treason, and that great Seal to be void.

(20.) The like Petitions were presented to the * 1.11 Lords, as had been to the House of Commons, by some Ministers, and some of the Common-Coun∣cel, concerning Church-Government; and Alder∣man Gibs made a long Speech to them; the Lords promised to take the Petitions into Consideration.

Debate about propositions for Peace.

Order about the Garrison of Bristol.

Reference to a Committee to consider of a way to recompence the County of Glocester, for the great Charges they have been at for a long time.

Beeston Castle was surrendred upon Articles, to Sir William Breretons Forces.

Inchequin relieved Younghall in Ireland, as was cer∣tified by Letters.

(21.) Debate touching Religion.

A Habeas Corpus ordered for a Servant of a Mem∣ber of the House of Commons apprehended by a Warrant of the Lords.

Major General Skippon made Governor of Bristol.

Debate between the two Houses touching a Lord who had broken the Priviledges of the House of Commons.

A Committee of both Houses named to examine the Letters of the Lord Digby.

The Kings Forces Plundring about Ʋxbridge, cau∣sed the Guards at London to be doubled.

Letters from the Governor of Reading, inform∣ed the Kings design to send Parties as a flying Army to Plunder in those parts, referred to the Commit∣tee of both Kingdoms.

Orders for preserving the three Counties by Forces to be sent thither, against this design of the Kings Forces.

(24.) The House gave answer to the Scots Pa∣pers, touching Payment of their Army, and Pro∣positions for Peace, in an effectual way, the Chan∣cellor of Scotland being to carry those Answers with him, to the Parliament of Scotland now Sitting.

Debate touching Church-matters.

Orders touching relief of Widows who lost their Husbands in the War.

An Ordinance passed for further Relief of mai∣med Soldiers, and for regulating misimployments of Hospitals.

An Ordinance passed for disabling Heath, Crawley, Forrester, Weston and Mallet from being Judges, as though they were dead.

Letters from C. G. Pointz certified the taking of Belvoir Stable, and outworks by Storm, with the loss of forty men, by reason whereof, and of the provoking Answer of Sir Jervas Lucas to the Summons, calling the Parliament Forces Rebels, they gave no Quarter to eighty of the Kings men, in those outworks.

(25.) Debate about propositions for Peace; and care taken for provision for maimed Soldiers, Widows and Orphans of Soldiers, and for pay∣ment of the debts of the Kingdom.

Orders for supplys for the Garrison of Ply∣mouth.

An Ordinance passed for a new Excise upon seve∣ral Commodities not before excised; the Money to go to the Payment of Artificers, to whom the Parliament was indebted.

Divers of Worcester-shire under Mr. Dingley their Leader declared for the Parliament, and complained of the Insolencies and Injuries by the Garrison of Worcester.

A Coppy of a Warrant from Col. Bard the Go∣vernor, to the Constables for Contribution was sent up, wherein was this expression.

Know, that unless you bring in to me (at a Day and House in Worcester) the Monthly con∣tribution for six Months, you are to expect an Unsanctified Troop of Horse among you, from whom, if you hide your selves, they shall fire your Houses without mercy, hang up your bodies where ever they find them, and Scare your Ghosts, &c.

A Party of Foot under Captain Moor, and an hundred and fifty Glocester Horse, routed a party of two hundred of the Kings Horse at Lech-lade, kil∣led Mr. Duet a French-man, two Captains, and twenty others, took thirty Prisoners, Horse and Arms.

(27.) Debate about Propositions for Peace.

They concurred with the Lords for appointing a day of Humiliation for the Eastern Association, and in a Declaration, and Letters to be sent to Scot∣land, and referring to the Committee of the Admi∣ralty, a Letter from the Governour of Flanders, and appointing Doctor Walker to be Advocate of the Admiralty.

The Lord Byron Governor of Chester came to a treaty with Sir William Brereton, but stood upon very high terms.

An Embassador from the Emperor of Russia came * 1.12 to London.

(28.) The Lords debated the Ordinance for setling Bristol.

The Commons debated the business of the Church, and passed a further Declaration for Suing out of Liveries and compounding for Wardships.

Reference to a Committee to consider of a Re∣compence to the Lord Roberts for his good Service, and order for two thousand pound to be paid to him in part of his Arrears.

The Kings Forces plundred cruelly about Bedford∣shire, and fired part of the Town of Woburne.

(29.) Debate of the Propositions of Peace.

Orders for four pound a week for divers Mem∣bers of the House, whose Estates were in the Kings Power.

Debate about the Excise.

Most of the Gentry in Newarke left the Town, unwilling to indure a Siege.

Sir John Holland came into the House after Din∣ner, with Mr. Recorder and others of that Gang.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Passes or∣dered for Prince Ru∣pert, &c.
• * 1.2

  Digby and Langdale routed.
• * 1.3

  Vaughan routed by Mitton.
• * 1.4

  The King to Oxford.
• * 1.5

  Letters from Pr. Charles to Sir Tho. Fairsax.
• * 1.6

  Answer of Fairesax.
• * 1.7

  His An∣swer to Goring.
• * 1.8

  Presbyteri∣ans Petiti∣on.
• * 1.9

  Answer to their Pe∣tition.
• * 1.10

  Vote of the Oxford Parliament
• * 1.11

  Petition to the Lords.
• * 1.12

  Ambassa∣dor from Russia.