Good Nevves from Plymouth: Being a true Relation Of the death of Sir Ralph Hopton, and many of his Commanders, vvho by treachery sought to surprise the good Towne of Plymouth.
ON Munday last there was a great Treason found out, which is, That Sir Nicholas Slaning, being acquainted with one of the Master Gunners in Plymouth, sent him a Letter to this effect: That if he would charge his Guns with Powder and Paper, and give false fire, hee would give him an hundred pound; this newes being brought to the Mayor of Plymouth, he presently send for the said Gunner, and imprisoned him, and wrote backe a Letter in the Gunners name, that all should be effected according to Sir Nicholas Slanings desire; upon which promise, Sir Ralph Hopton went on, and set upon one of the out works, with confidence to enter; but Plymouth men having charged their great Peeces with small shot, discharged upon them, and slew eight hundred of their men, amongst whom Sir Ralph Hopton was one.
This is very certain, I heard two men take their oaths, that they being at Stratton, saw a Horse-litter, guarded with sixty Horse, who said these words: If the Devonshire-Rogues should heare of Sir Ralph Hoptons death, wee are all undone.
On Thursday last, Bar. Northcot having gathered 8000. men from the North parts of Devonshire, the Parliament was set on by the Cavaliers at Chafford, ten miles from Exeter, where they had a fight, and slew sixe of the Cavaliers upon the place, and one Commander, cousin to Sir Ralph Hopton; Sir William Maulton with the losse onely of one man, and one hurt, the Lord be praised for it: The Commission of the Millitia, have by their Warrant gathered all the Countrey together, which are to meet this day together in a Body at Brint, and to morrow to advance to Plymton. There are in all of our men for certaine, 30000. which are of good courage.
Divers Letter speake the same thing, onely they differ in number, and speake of 17000. armed men in the field, and severall Townes and in Exeter.