Sir Thomas Fairefax FACING OXFORD.
And our Horse skirmishing within Musket-shot of the Towne.
The Enemie forced into OXFORD.
Also 70 and odde prisoners taken, and sent to Abingdon. With the relation of the Kings marching out at the gate he passed.
Also the names of the Commissioners chosen to treat upon Articles for the surrender of Newark, and the second summons from the Lords and Commons Commissioners of both Kingdomes with the Army, and two severall Answers thereunto.
These being examined by the originall Papers, are commanded to be printed, and are published according to Order of Parliament.
LONDON: Printed by Elizabeth Purslow, May 4. 1646.
The Copie of a Letter from Colonell Rossiters Quarters at Balderton.
WEE have sent in a second Summons to Newarke, which hath produced a faire Answer from the Governour, which with other reasons gives us thoughts of having Newarke in a short time; I have sent you (here inclosed) the Copies of the Summons and the Answer: This day the Commissioners of both Kingdomes, meete to consider of the Answer which they have received to their Summons, and also what reply to draw up to send in to them againe, though they flew high in their former Answer, yet they are lower now in their thoughts, and I hope they will be easily perswaded to surrender it upon good termes. It may be (and is very probable) that they will make their demands very high at the first, they being to offer termes: but however, they are in a most sad and miserable condition in the Towne, not onely by reason of the sicknesse, which still increases, and is very sore upon them, but they want both Money, Cloathes, and Victuals, Ammunition, no great plenty, and are in distresse for (even almost) all manner of necessaries, and the Souldiers in the Towne having little pay, nor Victuals, and yet hard duty, are every hower ready to mutiny, which some of them (for want, have begun already to practise, and some in the Towne have beene Plundred, what further happens shall be communicated by the next Post.
The Copie of the Summons sent into Newarke, by Order of the Commissioners of both Kingdomes.
WEE hope you have considered that our Paper (as you terme it) contained a Summons from us, what wee received from you merits no reply, wee were in earnest as to give an accompt to God, and many of our proceedings, and to shew that nothing from you can hinder our indeavouring, that you may see your approaching ruine, and whilst there is time avoyd it; wee once more demand of you, in the name of both Houses of the Parliament of England, and for the use of the King and Parliament, that you forthwith deliver up the Town, and Garisons of Newarke into their hands, and wee shall give you conditions for the surrender thereof, which you must not expect to be such, as you might formerly have obtained: This is the last Summons wee shall send, you now accepting of what is offered, will declare you are sensible of the totall losse of your estates, the devastation of the Country round about you of the ruine of the Towne, and of the Blood which may else be spilt: wee shall expect your possitive Answer by three of the clock to morrow in the alternoone at Balderton.
To this Summons the Lord Belasys sent the same day this Answer following, as his owne particular Answer, which he sent Colonell Rossiter.
I Have read a second Summons from the Committee of both Kingdomes, but (by their owne directions) the businesse concernes so many, as they cannot expect a sodaine returne: however I desire you would please to let those Lords know, that on Wednesday I shall send my Answer, and remaine
The Answer of the Summons, sent from the Lord Bellasys, to the Commissioners of Lords and Commons of both Kingdomes, now before Newarke.
THe consideration of what is required in your Summons of Monday last, being of so high concernment to His Majestie, and to the particular interests of very many of His faithfull Subjects in this Garrison; I conceive a shorter time then Monday next, will not be sufficient to prepare Articles of so divers natures as are necessary to be treated on, at which time I will not faile to send such to you, and upon your assent to them to surrender the town: In the mean time I send you hereunder written the names of such Commissioners for the Nobility, Gentry, Souldiers, Clergy and Townesmen, as I doe intrust for the treating upon these Articles, with an equall number of yours, whose names I shall desire by the next, and that you will appoint such a place as you shall think most convenient for the Treaty: and I further expect, that a safe conduct be granted, and hostages delivered for the security of those Commissioners imployed by me.
- J. BELLASYS.
- The Lord Lexington (alias Lackstones) that was Knight of the Shire for Nottingham and revolted.
- Mr. Hen. Bellasis (that was Knight for Yorkeshire) the Governours brother.)
- Sir Bryan Palmes (sir Guy Palmes his sonne)
- Sir Gervis Nev [...] (one pittied for being a Cavalier.)
- Colonell Darsy.
- Major Generall Eyre (that threatned so often fire and sword.)
- Sir Simon Fanshaw.
- Sir Gamaliel Dudley (who was servant to the old Earl of Clare.)
- Colonell Gilby (who was Major to Sir Iohn Digby.)
- Colonell Atkins. Doctor Marsh (Deane of Tork.)
- Mr. Stand [...]sh (Alderman of Newark.)
I Conceive that you desire an accompt from me where the King is, which I am doubtable possibly to tell you; he went out of Oxford on Monday morning last at the East Gate with Ashburnham, and a Priest that is well acquainted with the North Country; yet some will have it, That he is at Worcester; others, That he was traced 40 miles North-ward; but for ought I know, he is with at London: they have counterfeited the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax his Seale, (as well as his hand) in Oxford, and make Passes therewith. The Forces of this Garrison of Abingdon, have fallen on a partie of the Oxford Forces, taken 70 and odde prisoners, the Generall hastens his designes against Oxford, and intends to view the place to morrow God willing. This in haste, I rest
THe Lord hath now brought us before the chiefe and grand Garrison of the Enemies: Oxford was with the General faced yesterday within musket shot, but the Enemie within are very same; and in all our skirmishes, betweene our horse and them we had but three horses shot, most of their foot walke about their Workes in a drooping posture, with their Armes behind them, and with their hands in their pockers. I hope in a short time, through Gods blessing, we shall be masters of this Citie. But at present I rest
Articles agreed upon for the surrender of the Castle of Bridge-North, the 26 of April, 1646. betweene Sir Robert Howard Knight of the Bath, Governour, Sir Vincent Corbet, Sir Edward Acton, and Sir Francis Oately, Commissioners for the King, & Col. Andrew Lloyd, Col. Robert Clive, and Robert Charlton Esquire, Commissioners for the Parliament.
1 THat all the Commissioners, Officers of Horse, and all Captaines of Foot, shall march away to any of His Majesties Garrisons or Armie within fortie miles, with their Horses and Armes for themselves, and each of them to have a servant, with his Horse and Sword, and their wearing Apparell, free quarter for thirty Horses, and a safe Conduct, and not to march lesse then eight miles a day; And any of the abovesaid Officers, laying downe their Armes, to repaire to their habitation.
2 That all inferior Officers shall have libertie to march with their Sword, and the common Souldiers without Armes, to any of His Majesties Garrisons or Armies, within fortie miles, as formerly mentioned, or laying downe their Armes to live at there owne habitations for a fortnight, and afterwards to take the Nagative Oath if they continue within this Countie, where they intend to reside, and passes accordingly.
3 That all Clergy-men, Townes-men and Countrymen, within this Castle may have libertie to repaire to their owne habitations, provided they lay downe their Armes, and a fortnights time for their taking the Negative Oath, and not to live within a mile of the Parliaments Garrisons, or otherwise, if they shall so desire, to march to any of the Kings Garrisons or Armies.
4 That all wounded and sick prisoners within the Castle shall have libertie to reside in the low Towne or elsewere, untill they be fit to travell, and to have passes to goe home, or to any of the Kings Armies or Garrisons.
[Page 6] 5 That Sir Robert Howard, Sir Vincent Corbet, Sir Edward Acton, and Sir Francis Oately, with each of them their Horses and Armes, and two men a peece, except Sir Robert Howard, who is to have foure, with their Horses and Swords, and their Masters wearing Apparell. shall have libertie to march to their severall habitations, and to continue there for the space of two moneths, in which time, they are to make their election, whether they will goe to make their peace with the Parliament, or goe beyond Seas to any of the Kings Garrisons or Armies, and to have passes accordingly, they ingaging themselves to doe nothing prejudiciall to the Parliament the meane time.
6 That M. Howard, M. Fisher, and M. Gravener, shall march away with their Horses and Swords, and one man apeece, with their wearing Apparell and Swords, to any place within fortie miles.
7 That Lieut. Hosier and Doctor Lewin, shall march away without Horses or Armes to any of the Kings Garrisons, or other place within thirtie miles, provided it be not within this Countie, and passes accordingly.
8 That M. Millard, Chaplaine to the Garrison, may have libertie to goe with his Horse to his house at Reight [...] in this Countie, and to take with him his Manuscripts, and there to live, taking the Negative Oath within one moneths time, or else to march away out of this Countie with the rest.
9 That the Clerke of the Commissioners may have libertie to march at the rest of the inferiour Officers and Souldiers, and to have the same Conditions, and to take with him all papers concerning the Garrison, and their wearing Apparell.
10 That the Lady Oately, her children, and maid servants have libertie, with their wearing Clothes to goe to Pitchford, or the Hay, and there to live unmolested.
11 That all other women and children in the Castle, may have libertie to goe to their owne or any of their friends houses, provided it be not within a mile of any of the Parliaments Garrisons.
12 That all Gentlemen, Offices, and Souldiers within the Castle, as well strangers as others, desiring to goe beyond the seas, shall have passes accordingly, and Letters to the Committees of the severall Counties, to afford them like conditions, as to the Gentlemen of this County, upon the surrender of this Castle here granted.
13 That the Chyrurgions belonging to the Castle, shall march away and have the same conditions as the inferior Officers.
14 That the Gunners and Powder-men, with their mates, may march away as the rest of the Common Souldiers.
15 That no violence, injury, or incivility shall be offered to any that shall march out of the Castle, but be protected in all things according to the tenor of these Articles; and that sufficient Hostages be given on both sides for the performance of all and every the matters here agreed upon.
16 That the Governour and the rest of his Officers shall doe their utmost endeavours to secure and preserve all the Ordnance, Armes, Ammunition, Victuals, provisions, goods, bedding, and all other accomodations necessary and belonging to the Castle, other then what is alowed to be taken by the aforesaid Articles, and all those safe and unspoiled, to bee delivered up, together with the Castle (the 27. of this month of April, 1646.) unto the Committee, [...]or whom they shall appoint, and that these Articles be confirmed by the Governour of the Castle.
17 That if any Officer or Souldier, who shall malitiously spoile his horse or Armes, or misdemeane themselves on their march, such misdemeanors shall not be extended farther then upon the parties offending, and upon them justice shall be done according to the Discipline of Warre.
18 That all the Commission-Officers be certified by the Governour of the Castle, and upon this certificate bee allowed to march accordingly.
19 That Master Latham bee delivered up to the mercy of the Parliament.
- Rob. Howard.
- Vin. Corbet.
- Edward Acton.
- Francis Oatley.
- And. Lloyd.
- Rob. Clive.
- Robert Charlton.
Those that honour God, God will most assuredly honour, and that is the chiefe reason of the many successes in Shropshire by the Committee there, who are not onely a praying, but a fighting Committee likewise, both which being joyned together, doe most undoubtedly make a sure foundation for these and the like successes and victories that God doth and hath ever beene pleased to crown them with in all their enterprises.