The declaration of Sir Thomas Glenham, Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and Sir Philip Musgrave, in the north of England concerning the counties of Essex and Kent and their resolution and proceedings thereupon; as also touching the Army. Likewise a great fight at Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire, betwixt the Parliaments forces and the Cavaliers, and the number that were slain and taken prisoners; as also, the taking of the said castle, with all the ordnance, armes, and ammunition. With a list of the chief commanders belonging to the Parliaments forces. Col. Fairfax. Col. Roads. Col. Bethel. Col. Aldred. Col. Legere.. [sic] Col. Cholmley. Col. Lassels. Col. Wastell.

The Declaration and Proclamation of Colonell Boni∣vent, and the rest of his Majesties Commanders in the North, Wherein is declared, their Resolution and Protestation, concerning their present Engage∣ment for the King.

Honoured Sir,

DIvers great Commanders (in these parts) begins to appear visible and active for the King, and have de∣clared the grounds and reasons of their taking up Armes in this second Engagement, having taken an Oath and Protestation for the prosecuting of this their pre∣sent design to the utmost, and to take all oportunities what∣soever for the promoting thereof: in pursuance whereof Colonell Bonivent (formerly Groom of the stable to Sir Marmaduke Langdale) with a party of Officers and Soul∣diers, to the number of one hundred, consulted together for the surprizall of Pontefrast Castle, and at the last resolved to put themselves into a disguised posture, and to act their design in the habit of Country-men, which they did, and up∣on Thursday last, being Market day, they came from seve∣rall

parts, and met at the lower town, and the plot being laid and the time and hour appoined, about 20 of them came up to the castle gate on horseback, with sackes under them, and their armes unseen, and discoursed with the Centinels, and immediatly their confederates in the castle, and their asso∣ciates at the lower town, made their appearance neer them, who upon a sudden cast down their sacks, and rushed in at the gates, Major Cotterell the Governour receiving this al∣larm, with about 30. men charged them in the Castle yard, but could not regain what was lost, the rest comming up so violently, insomuch that the enemy hath unhappily become Masters of this impregnable Castle, and hath taken about 60. prisoners, 3000. Armes, 80. Barrels of Gunpowder, Match and Bullet proportionable, two Culverins, one Demi∣c••lverin, one Morterpiece, two Cullers, 600. weight of cheese; and great store of other victualling.

But before they became sole masters thereof, they lost at the least 8 of their men, for Major Cotterel fought gallantly, beating them back as far as the outmost gate, but it was his hard chance there to receive a wound, which gave a great advantage to the enemy, and his body was there seized on, the rest of his men retreated to the Queens Tower, and ••eld the Enemy in dispute for the space of one hour, killing some of them, but at the last were forced to yeeld upon quarter.

From the North we heare▪ that our forces are very success••full against the Enemy, and that Major Carter hath possessed himself of Bainy castle, upon which Sir Marmaduke Langdale took an allarm, and is retreated towards Carlisl••, Westmerland being thereby freed of his Forces.

Colonell Harrisons Regiment of Foot, and Colo∣nel

Twisletons of Horse, are to march towards Bainy Castle, and about ten dayes hence to ingage Langdale, if possible. We are now somewhat quiet about Helmsly, they are raising the trained Bands in this county, and have nominated their Offic••••s. viz. for the West Ri∣ding, Col. Roads, and Col. Fairfax. In the East-Ri∣ding, Col Bethel, Col. Aldred, and Col. Legere. In the North-Riding, Col. Cholmley, Col. Lassels, and Col. Wastel, they have also chosen their other Of∣ficers, which hath caused Langdale, Gle••ham, Mus∣grave, and the rest, to declare, That if the Essex and Kentish men doe not prevaile against the Army in the South, they cannot proceed on with their designs in the North, for if once the Southern and Northern Ar∣my should joyn, they are not able to fight them in the field.

They have further declared, that what they now act is by the authority and power of the Prince of Wales, but murmures very much against the Scots, especially a∣gainst Duke Hamiltons party,

York 5. May, 1648.