A check to the checker of Britannicus: or, The honour and integrity of Collonel Fiennes, revived, re-estated, and cleared from certain prejudices and mistakes, occasioned by late mis-reports.: The proceedings of the honourable Councell of War, according to the article of war justified. The pardon of his Excellencie the Lord Generall Essex asserted, and the grounds of it declared, and presented to the consideration of all. With certain considerable queries of publike concernement. Britannicus for his eminent service to this cause, Parliament, and kingdome, encouraged and vindicated from a late aspertion, in this occasion by a grose, seditious, and abusive pamphlet, called, a check.

THE PARDON.

VVHereas Colonell Nathaniel Fiennes late Go∣vernour of the City of Bristoll hath been questioned before a Counsell of war held in St. Albans, from the 14. day of December till the 23. of the said mo∣neth, 1643. by William Pryn and Clement Walker for the surrendring unto the Enemy, the sayd City and Castle of Bristoll: And whereas the sayd prosecutors themselves during the said triall, have delcared that their meaning was not that the said Colonell had delivired up the said City by any premeditate malice or Intelli∣gence with the Enemy.

And whereas the said Colonel hath bin cast by the said Counsell of war, only according to the letter of the Ar∣ticle of the Lawes, and Ordinandes of war, because he the said Colonell hath not held the said City, and Castle

of Bristoll to extremity: And whereas the said Colo∣nell hath been condemned by the said Counsell for this offence, &c.

In consideration of the premisses, and of the excellent gifts, and endowments wherewith it hath pleased God to enable the said Colonell for other employments in the service of this State, and in regard of my own experience and confidence I have of the said Colonels Integrity, and constant affection to the common cause of Religion Lawes and Liberty, which he hath given full testimony of, in sundry negotiations entrusted unto him by both Houses of Parlament and especially in that negotiation with the Kingdome of Scotland, Anno Dom: 1641. And in respect of his courage and valour shewed in divers ser∣vices, and in particuler in regard of the good testimony given to me by Sr. William Belfoor Leivtennant Gene∣rall of the horse in the behalfe of the valorous carriage of the said Colonell in Kainton feild riding up to the ve∣ry. Ordinance of the Enemy, with and neere the said Sir William Belfoore, I have by vertue of an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament given and granted, and by these presents I give and grant unto the said Colonell a free and full pardon of all manner of offences, errours, and oversights committed in the said surrender of the City and Castle of Bristoll, discharging hereby the said Colonell from the-execution of the capitall punishment, imprisonment, restraint, and likewise from all further impeachment, and prosecution concerning the said sur∣render.

ESSEX, Given under my hand and Seale, the sixt of Jan. 1643, in London.