THE Marquesse of Hartford since his going from Sher­born Castle in Som­mersetshire, hath had but very bad successe, Fortune hath frowned on him very much, for at his arrivall neere Miniard a Sea Towne not farre distant from Wales, they trou­bled all the Counties in their march, inso­much [Page 2] that on Wednesday night last, all the shop windows were at Myniard shut up, every man Armed, and the Towne guarded, expecting daily the arivall of the Earle of Bedford and the rest of the Parlia­forces, and according to their expectation the Earle, and with some 500. Horse, and some foote, upon the 25. of this moneth, And at his comming neere the Towne, the Marquesse sent out Colonell Lunsford with 4. or 5. troops of horse, to give him a charge but they had been better to have kept with in their bounds, for at their comming the Earle sent many thundring Messengers to welcome them which soon caused them to retreate, and to fly for succor and releife to the rest of their forces; The Earle being within halfe a mile of the town, he sent out strict Warrants to all the Mannors that were thereabouts, to with draw all thei [...] Ships and Barks from that place, for the better hindring of the Marquesse from his going into wales by Sea, and at his arivall [Page 3] there; The Major of Bristoll having in­formation and intelligence of it, they im­mediately sent out divers Ships to secure that Fort Towne and to hinder the Mar­quesse and the rest of his confedrates from going into Wales, All the Castles therea­bouts was strongly guarded and Fortified for the KING and Parliament, insomuch that the Marquesse would not posesse him­selfe of any of them, the Earle having thus secured those parts, he drew his Forces neere the Town, and upon the 29. of this moneth let fly divers peeces of Ordnance at the Marquesse and his confederates, insomuch that they were forced to send a parley and have produced bloody effects. Notwith­standing all which, and divers other insuf­ferable injuries, so confident were we of his Majesties former professions, never to refuse any Petition presented by his peo­ple to him in any humble way, that we de­sisted not to wait our best time to present so after some hours, and at the same con­cluded [Page 4] to have a generall meeting with their Forces within two houres, which was accordingly done, and at their com­ming into the fields, they resolved to try their power and strength against each o­ther, where Captaine Belfore, a most No­ble and deserving Souldier, drew up 200. Horse and gave fire against the Enemy, in­somuch that divers of them were soone strucke from off their horses, and after the space of three houres fight, the Marquesse and his Forces made a retreat, and betook themselves to the Towne; and it is re­ported, that some of their chiefest Com­manders are fled, the Earle is resolved not to returne without honour; by the next Post you shall heare more, till then farewell.

[Page 5] The Kings Majesty upon the 28. of this Moneth marched with his Army from Chester towards Shrewesbury, where it is thought hee will have a meeting with the Earle of Essex, and there to treat with him concerning the Affaires of this King­dome, but the Cavaleers are very unwil­ling that His Majesty should come to any agreement; For upon the 29 of this Month his Excellencie the Earle of Essex, having gott [...] possession of the City of of Worcester, the Towne having informed him that there was much Gun-powder laid in some Sellar neer to the Town Hall and as it was confessed by some that were taken prisoners, it was to blow up his Ex­cellencie, and to destroy as many of his Forces as they could.

This Plot was discovered by a worthy Gentleman, one Master John Jackson, an Inhabitant of the said City of Worcester, Septem. 29.

It is credibly reported, that by His Ma­jesties speciall Command Prince Charles is guarded with 200. horse and 400 foot in the Castle of Ludlow, the Trained Band also doth daily lye there pretending to guard his highnesse Person in these trou­blesome times.

It is also reported for certaine, That three Shires thereabouts, namely, Shrop­shire, Denbi-shire, Flintshire, have taken a forced Protestation to assist his Majestie against both houses of Parliament, but it is thought their Resolution in that will not hold long, for when the Parliaments For­ces shall be present to assist them, for they want helpe and encour [...]gers, such as the Lord Fairefaxe and Sir John Hotham in Yorkeshire.