A true & exact relation of the several passages at the siege of Manchester between the Lo. Strange his forces and the towne vvherein is evidently seene the wonderfull mercy of God in their deliverance / written by one that was an eie-witnese ... ; also a protestation of Master Hotham and divers other knights and gentlemen against the 14 articles of pacification and neutrality.

Munday.

MUnday they strengthened all the passages as well as the Fort could do; Captain Bradshaw the Dense gate end, Captain Ratcliffe the market streete lane, Cap: Booth the Mill gate, Captaine Rosworme the Bridge against Sawford way, Li∣stermain, Barwick, the Hunts banck: and a company of resolute Souldiers the Sned hill without any commander, towards the Afternoone it was observed that divers Horsemen of the Lord Stranges went out to asault the towne Eastward, or to have stopped the way, which being taken notice of, Captaine Brad∣shaw with about 30. Musketiers issued forth, Shot Sharply at them and made them retire backe with hast towards their places of Randevouze.

Notwithstanding there were then laid betwixt our men and that place 40. or 50. Musketiers that playd very vehemently upon them, and having the advantage also of a Ditch-bancke, our men feareing that they should be compast in with them, Retreated without any losse or hurt to the Dense-gate ende; the place that was first assaulted.

And presently after that, divers of our enemies stoale downe to the ende of a great Barne that was full of Corne and Haye, and set it on Fire with some other buildings that was betwixt them and the new made Mudd-wall, the same being about an Hundted and Fifty yards distant, they gathered togeather (the Barne begining to burne) and thought to take the advantage of the smoake to cover them, and by a suddaine shot to have driven our men from their Fort, which assaying to doe, were answered so well by our shot, that they were beaten backe, and a cheife Commander of their Horse slaine, with divers others of their Souldiers. This fight continued for the space of three quarters of an houre in a vehement maner, our enemy having another com∣pany of foote to have seconded the first, and behind them a great force of Horse to have come on, but their welcome (by the grace of God) was so hott that they durst not aproach nearer but re∣tired

backe, in this fight was not one of our men touched, save that an unskilfull man (whose Musket was ready to be discharg∣ed) let it fly at unwares and strooke one of his fellows through the necke that he died, this man that was thus slaine, was Ser∣vant to Master Ashton of Middelton.

Now when the flame of the fiered barne appeared (which might have discouraged all our hearts, had not the Lord suppor∣ted us) came down from Sawford to the foot of the bridg, great store of horse and foot of the Lord Stranges with a sudden shout, and Assayd to enter, but were so Answered with our ready shot, that they durst not ventur on it again, At which fight tis sayd some Commanders were cut off, and many Common Souldyers, for some lay dead in the street (that they durst not come near all the next day for feare of our shot): the night begining to aproach great care was used for our safety and with great feare the night passed on, About twelve of the Clock that night came (at the bottom of the parsonage) tis thought an hundred or an hundred and fifty men down by the water side, Intending to have fired the towne by some stacke of faggets that lay close behinde the houses, but four men standing Sentinell at that back passage, with the help of 8. men more that came in unto them, drove and for∣ced them back, how the Lord preserved these twelve men tis wonderful, for as the enemy shot fiercely at them before, so their own friends behind them, (not knowing who they were) shot as fiercely at them, yet God bee praysed none of them were touched, the night passed on with great fear.