The yeare of jubile: or, Englands releasment, purchased by Gods immediate assistance, and powerfull aiding of her renowmed Parliament and the forces raised by them

CHAP. II. The Generall comming to Dorchester, the Boors or Club-men of Dorsetshire and Wiltshire, with their Leaders came unto him, desiring a passe from him, and that they might be allowed, to dispatch some se∣lected persons with Petitions to His Majesty and the Houses of Parliament, the routing of Goring by Sir Thomas Fairfax Forces neer Langport in So∣mersetshire, the Contents of the Club-mens Peti∣tion.

AFter the gaining of Bridgwater, Sir Thomas after se∣verall marches, came to Dorchester, where being ari∣ved, there resorted unto him foure Agents from the Clubmen of Dorset and Wiltshire, who as if the two strong parties already in Armes, were not of ability, ruinating ••hemselves, to destroy this poor, and more then miserable Kingdom: Those fellows of Dorset and Wiltshire, rose in Arms to make a third party of Newters, their pretence was to defend themselves from being plundered or annyed, by any ••ide, either of the Kings or Parliaments, they wore white ri∣bands in their hats, with PEACE and TRUTH inter∣woven, they were Armed, some with Muskets, some with Forks and Staves, and some with Clubs: Their names, b ori∣ginall, or rather as c one wittily and truly saith Knaves of Clubs, to the generall Master Hollis, the chiefe speaker decla∣red his businesse, which was to procure a passe from him, for d persons selected to goe to the King and Parliament with Petitions, After some debate the Generall returned this An∣swer.

Although the paper brought to me, being not subscribed, cannot challenge a return, yet to clear my selfe from any avers∣nesse

to the satisfaction of the Country, who are pretended to be interessed in these Petitions, I return this.

That my affections, and the affections of this Armie, are as much inclined to peace as any mens whatsoever, and wee are obliged to prosecute this war, for no end, but for the establish∣ment of a firme and happie Peace, by opposing the enemies thereof, and that I shall be ready so far as concerns me, to fur∣ther all lawfull and fit means to procure it, but having seen the Petitions, for the conveyance of which a Letter is desired, I must professe my selfe not to be so well satisfied with some things contained in them, as to concur to their delivering by any Act of mine.

In particular, that a cessation is desired, by Letters written by the King and Queen, taken at the late battail of Nasby, it evidently appears that contracts are already made, for the bringing in of ten thousand French, and six thousand I∣rish.

It is further desired, that the Garrisons in these parts where∣of there are Seaports, should be delivered up to the Petitioners, which to grant, were for the Parliament to quit part of the Trust reposed in them by the Kingdom, and considering those forreign preparations, to run very great hazards to these parts, to themselves and the whole Kingdom.

Thirdly, it is propounded, that liberty be given to all Soul∣diers, to disband and return to their own homes, if they desire it, which may with equall justice be desired, by all parts of the Kingdom, and so the Parliament made unable to mannage the war, before peace be setled.

These considerations with some other, yet to be debated, will not allow me to grant this desire of the letter.

But as for that part of the Petition, that declares the grie∣vance of the Countrey by plunder and violence, committed ei∣ther by Garrisons or Armies, I doe hereby promise and under∣take, for the Garrisons and Armies under the command of the Parliament, that whatsoever disorders are committed by them, upon complaint, making known the offenders and the

offence, justice shall bee done, and satisfaction given, I also shall endeavour that the Parliaments Garrisons may be regu∣lated according to any reasonable agreement with the County, and without doubt the Parliament wil cause them to be slight∣ed, so soon as the condition of those parts and the publike good shall permit, and that the Armie under my command shall be ordered, as may be most for the good of these Counties, and the whole Kingdom, of which some reasonable testimony is al∣ready given, in their quiet and orderly passage, through these and other Countries, without many of those complaints that usually follow Armies.

I further request that in publishing this my answer, all assem∣bling the people to publike Randevouze may be forborne, that copies hereof may be dispersed to severall Parishes, and that the County may be acquainted therewith.

THOMAS FAIRFAX.

Wisdome and Valour, are two singular and extraordinary gifts of God, and he that hath the one hath a greater gift then hee that hath the other, I mean the gift of wisdome: Ulysses words prevailed more with the Grecian Princes then Ajax Deeds, but where both are injected, there the man is incom∣parable, and fit to undergo so great a Task as our famous Ge∣nerall doth, Who not onely by valour quelleth and pasheth to pie∣ces the strength of the Enemy, but also by his Prudence, appeaseth and mitigateth the fury of some, that spurs on by their own rash∣nesse, after to do things inconvenient and destructive to them∣selves: This I am constrained to say, in reference, to the mode∣rate, free and ingenious answer Sir Thomas sent the Club-men.

AFter the Dispatch of Master Hollis, the Generall advan∣ced, and after some marches; not without apposition, came to long Sutton in Somersetshire, where being ari∣ved, a Councel of War was called to debate on this Quere, whither to draw up before Langport, or withdraw towards

Sherborn or Evill, when unlookt for the Enemy gave them the alarm, under the command of Goring, whereupon the Gene∣rall drew out of his forces of Foot.

Weldens, Herberts, Inglesbyes, Fortescues, Major Generall Russels, Hamonds and Rainsboroughs Regiments, all the Horse but three Regiments of Sir Robert Pie, and Col. Sheffield were with Massie.

With these Forces they drew into the Field, about ten of the clock in the morning, the Enemy had the advantage both of the Hill and Wind, the Generall commanded the Canon to play, which did extraordinary execution, after the Horse char∣ged Major Bethel, gave the onset, his first charge routed them, but being over-powred, he retreated to Major Disbrough, who commanded the Generals Regiment, and charging them again, he so disordered them that they could never rally againe, part of the Enemies got in a disordered manner into Langport, the rest fled, some into the Corn, some into Woods for shelter, in this fight the whole foot were taken or killed; there were also ta∣ken those:

• The Ordance they had;
• Two Colonels of Horse, Slingsby, Hevingam.
• Beirtridge, Lievtenant Generall of the Ordnance,
• Some other Lievtenants, Colonels and Majors,
• 1200 Prisoners.

And the gaining of this, through the assistance of God, lost the Generall but twenty men, and whereas wee spake of erst, the Petitions the Clubmen intended for the Kings Majesty and the Honourable Houses of Parliament, wee will here insert it word for word, as the Malignant spirit of the Authour con∣trived it.

To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and to the Right Honourable Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, at Westminster.

WE the Gentlemen, Free-holders, and others, all Pro∣testants and peaceable Subjects, of the County of Dor∣set, Somerset, and Wiltshire, beholding with unex∣pressable grief of our souls, the many & terrible shakings of that well built State of England, which our wise & carefull fathers left unto us, that their Generations after them under the blessing of God might keep it up for ever, are most humble suitors to your sacred Majesty, and the said Honourable Lords and Com∣mons, that our so long and so much tottering Kingdom, may speedily be reposed upon her sinne foundation, which we con∣ceive to be, the free and full conveening in Parliament of your Majesties Royall Person, and all the Lords together with the Commons, as well as all them, which have heretofore been du∣ly elected to this Parliament, and do yet survive, as others who ought to be selected thither made void by death, your Maje∣sties Royall Progenitors the Kings and Queenes of this Isle, environed with their free and full multitude of Counsellours from all parts thereunto, have ever been that Rock of safety whereon the good providence of God, for so many yeers past, hath established this Realm, in despipht of all former tempests, that have beaten against it, therefore this the greatest of all that ever rose upon us, or our Ancestors, we cannot but with our in∣flamed devotions, to superstition, to God, deprecate out of all mens hearts, all thoughts of saving us, rather upon some new made grhunds, then that of the old one which God yet never suffered to fail us, or of limiting our Refuge (fine Sophi∣stry) to part of our Rock when our advantage and help must be the more, when we had the whole to help (you had reason to rejoyce that the ill, or part of the whole departing the rest re∣mayned, to mayntain the Gospell of Christ and the liberty of the Subject) as the most glorious body that is visible in England is

the Parliament of England, so, who can think it so perfect, who can hope to find it so strong to work for the honour, peace and happinesse of England, as when it consults in full peace of its Royall Head, and with all the other good members thereof, and with all ardency of our affections, wee kneel unto your Majesties Kingly wisdome, and to the wisdom of the said Ho∣nourable Lords and Commons, that for the speedy Integrati∣on, both in Head and members of this body, which is the soule of Englands welfare your Parliament (the King believes it not) It may graciously please your Majesty, and the said Honoura∣ble Lords and Commons to send, they unto your Majesty, and your Majesty to them, your severall, that is to say, your Maje∣sties and their Commissioners, and to hasten them to meet, to treat and agree (as at Uxbridge) of time and place, when and where your Majesty shall be with your Houses of Lords and Commons, both of them in the beautifull fulnesse of all the members, wee most humbly beseeching, that no place may be thought, for this purpose like Gideons fleece (a fine policy to draw away the members of Parliament, from a place of security, to a place where they may be subject to the tyranny, and ore-sway∣ing Power of the Royall Party) either the onely spot p of Eng∣land, that shall be capable of the dew of heavenly blessing, and that all the Land besides will be dry upon any Town or City; God will give down his dew, and for the security both of your Majesty and the honourable Houses, in any place we shall lay down ourlives (your deeds confute your words) and that which is left of our estates, to your Majesty for the houses, to the houses for your Majesty, and that we and the whole Realme, may no longer want the benefit of those Laws which are well knowne to us, by the undoubted seals of Kings, Lords and Commons upon them, and may not still starve and bleed our selves to death, for such as could not yet passe the threefold test, we humbly pray that the comfortable beams of justice, which have been so long obscured and clouded, may at length breake forth to the refreshment of this drooping Kingdome, now grown weary and weak through long impunity of all sorts of

sin and injury, and that Judges and Officers may be authorized and secured in their administrations of Law and Right to all people (if this hath not been, your selves have occasioned it, the two Houses of Parliament prostrates their lives and fortunes, to to purchase you, and all Counties this) and that all field Armies may be dissolved, all controversies; for which they have been raised: being laid down to be awakened and determined, or to sleep and dye undecided, in the free and full Parliament, and that all unnecessary Garisons be slighted, and such as shall be thought fit and necessary, either by your Majestie or the said Honourable Lords and Commons, to be continued, to be trusted in some hands of those Counties wherein they are scited, the Trustees to be equally named by your Majesty and the said Honourable Lords and Commons, and no Trustee to deliver up his charge, but by the joynt assent of Kings, Lords and Com∣mons, untill wee may see that happy day q when the King, Lords and Commons shall declare, that there is no more use of such warishnesse between the King and his people; and wee beseech your Majesties Princely clemency, and the fatherly and fraternall love of the said Lords and Commons, to all their e∣quall and inferiour Countrimen, for the sweet and necessary condiscention for all that have been in arms, or otherwise assi∣stant to this destructive war, and to all that are imprisoned by any occasion of it, and to all that absent themselves from their dwellings upon feare thereof (you petitioned for justice ere-while, recant you now) may be permitted to returne home, and all men to enjoy their Liberties and Properties, and their wonted freedome of commerce through the whole Realme.

Lastly, we humbly beseech your Majesties most tender heart and the feeling affections, of the said Honourable Lords and Commons, to their poore and bleeding Countrimen, to take notice of the many importunate Agitants, which have beaten us together, in these our unusuall meetings, not onely the wor∣ship (a fair Cloak) of God but the honour of your Majestie, the native liberty and right of the Subject, the wealth and

strength of the whole Land, and whatsoever is vertuous, or laudable in it self, but also our intolerable slavery, under a most insolent Souldiery (this is notoriously knowne, as also the rest of the allegations to be false and suborn'd) an universall poverty by endlesse contribution, and plunder the cursed sacriledge (the Idoll of the Commons) the common Prayer Book taken away) done unto holy places, defacings, and ruinings, the grievous persecutions of grave and reverend Ministers, the many blou∣dy, tragicall, inhumane rapes and murthers that have beene acted, and more are threatned upon peaceable Subjects, all sorts of wickednesse before every where impudent and shamelesse; in a word whatsoever is dreadfull, or miserable to us, is still growing upon us, under the reign of this Civill War, by all these so many, and so powerfull considerations wee have beene drawn together, as we contest the searcher of all hearts, not for sedition, but the publick peace; ha, ha, he, and in order thereto together, to meet in this our humble Petition, to your Maje∣sty, and the said Honourable Lords and Commons, and to put our selv•••• in a generall readinesse at the City of the County, to pursue all robbers and murtherers (one Thiefe attach another) under whose continuall oppressions we could no longer endure; We therefore humbly pray and beseech your Majesty (and the said Honourable Lords and Commons) and all our Superiours and fellow Subjects, that we may be mercifully and favourably judged, in (these your seditious and abominable proceedings) these our innocent intentions, and according to our capaci∣ties, and our wisest endeavours, we continually pray, to the God of peace and love that we may be revived, and the whole Realme by a speedy and indissoluble union, of the strength and saving health of England) next under his heavenly Majesty, your sacred Majesty, the right honourable Lords. and the ho∣nourable House of Commons, in a full and free, which cannot be, but an happie Parliament.

Thus far the Author of this malevolent Petition, which be∣cause I have already somwhat canvased, and all wise men read∣ing it wil easily behold, the main end and scope of these club-mens

Petitions and intentions without an interpreter, I shall here cease to say more of it, I return to my History.

Notes

• b

  Clubmen.
• c

  Britanicus.
• d

  These to the King. Doctor Henry Gotch. Mr. Tho: Brow∣all a Divine. Iohn Saint Loe. Peter Hoskins, Esquire. M. Tho: Young Attourney. M. Robert Paw¦let to the Par∣liament. Mr. Melchise∣deck woltham. M. Rich: Hook, Divines. Tho. Trenchard Rob: Culliford, ••squires. George Hawles, Rich. Newman, Gentlemen.
• An unreasona∣ble request.
• Goring routed.
• The Club∣mens Petition
• p

  Explain your meaning.
• ☞
• q

  Wil your in∣famous sediti∣on, and un∣lawfull rising produce it.