REBELLION, how ever it comes off, yet it ever begins with Conquest. That, I mean, of the Rebells over their own consciences. The designe will never advance kindly, till That be­forehand be subdued to so stupid and tame a temper, as to boggle or take check at the horror of no scruples; but to accept of whatever desperate or wild scruples. The Scripture calls it Witchcraft: for with such murmurs and whispers as witches use, (murmurs against the present government, and whispers of unreasonable and inconsistent hopes in the projected Reformation) it becharmes and be­sots their understanding. And that so universally and so deeply, as seldome can any other reason undeceive them, [Page 2] but the affliction of another conquest. The experience of Cyrencester, hath prov'd this observation true: who blin­ded and confident in the beginning of the battell saw not it's own error, till it's own flames show'd it.

So God dispos'd it, that on Saturday Ianuary 21. 1642. Prince RUPERT'S Highnesse, with a faier part of His Majesties Army, began His march from Oxford. Of Horse he led along five Regiments, besides his own Troope of Life-guards: the rest being Footmen and Dra­gooners. Fower small Drakes or Field-peeces were drawn along, for securing of the March. The designe was, to relieve Colonell Hastings, besieged at his own house at Ashby de la Zouch in Leicestershire. For this purpose, the March was directed thorow Northamptonshire: but hearing by the way, how the valiant Colonell had made the Lord Gray to forsake the siege: the Prince then alto­gether diverted His thoughts and March, towards Cy­rencester. His Majesty was then sent unto for more For­ces, and some Peeces of Battery; and till those could be brought up, His Highnesse by easy marches, passed through Warwick shire, into Glocestershire upon Mun­day, Ianuary 30. passing along by Sudlye Castle belonging to the Lord Chandois. This being the Satterday night be­fore, possessed by some part of the Rebells of Cyrencester; the Prince well knowing the fortune of that Castle to de­pend upon that Towne, resolved to pursue His first pur­pose, and to leave the Castle to come in afterwards. Therefore on Munday morning, having only sent His own Regiment with Lieutenant Colonell O Neale, and a strong party of Dragooners to keep watch on the Cyrencester side; at night when the grosse of the Army was marcht up, the Parties were all drawn off, and altogether for that night [Page 3] inquartered in the open fields by Halling, some two miles from the Castle.

Vpon Thursday morning February the second, came in more Dragooners, with another Regiment of Horse, un­der Colonell Slater: as also two demi-canons for battery, shooting 18. pound bullet, and a Mortar-piece to shoot Granadoes; All these at the Rendezvous short of Cyrence­ster, were presented unto the Prince, by Colonell Henry Wentworth: and the men in the following fight, divided among the other Regiments. Hereupon, His Highnesse riding before to take view of the neerer part of the Town, left Lieutenant Colonell Lunsford with his Dragooners, to attack it on that North quarter. His Seconds was my Lord of Carnarvans Regiment of Horse and within 150. paces of the Spittle-gate, did Mounsier la Roche plant his Mortar-piece.

The Prince (after some shots of Cannon made at Him) now returning to His Troopes, and Prayers now ended through all the Regiments, led on beyond the Towne, arranging His Battaglions in the Barton-field at the West end of Cyrencester. Vpon which, before we fall on, 'tis necessary to describe the Posts and Works in sight, that were to be first fallen upon.

'Tis a Town of many streets; and 2000. Communi­cants: and (as seems) by that party, esteemed the very key of Glocestershire on that quarter [...] so that much of their Rest being set upon it, they had used all industry for the fortifying it: which also (for a Village) was very strong in it's naturall scituation. Tis more then halfe in­compassed with water, a great part with a high wall; the rest by strong works secured. The Gardens and backsides, be divided by many low dry stone walls, as good as [Page 4] Brestworkes; and one so serving for retreats unto the o­ther, that had the defendants courage to maintain a second, after they were put to retreat out of the first, we must have disputed every wall and garden with them. The streets were barricadoed up with chaines, harrowes, and wag­gons of bavins or Risebushes. Each end of the high street leading through the Towne, was secured against Horse with strong Slaght-boomes, which our men call Turne­pikes. Two Cavalliers or Batteries they had, one at the South-west corner, on M^r Pooles garden mount, and on it two iron Sakers to command the field, the Prince drew up in, and to scowre the entrance into the Towne. An o­ther in Georges backside at the South-east corner, upon Crekelade way, and on it an Iron Minion peece. In Sir William Masters garden a brasse Saker, opposed against our Morter, and L. Colonell Lunsfords quarter. In the Market place, an Iron Saker. and these five were all their Ordnance. The Sakers shot six pound ball, and the Mi­nion fower. The chief Commanders, were M^r Iohn Fet­tiplace a Country Gentleman, Colonell and Governor; and Carre a Scotchman Lieutenant-Colonell; the man they most relied upon; and who assured them the day before, He would keep the Towne against 20000. men. Captain Buck (a busie Mercer of Hampton-rode) had a cowards wit with him: and that morning shifted himselfe out of the Towne; under pretence to fetch in more forces. The Towne (as appears by the Slain and Prisoners) had some 2000. men in it. namely of Townesmen, Train-bands, and Blew-Coats of my Lord Stamfords Regiment: halfe of which Regiment were gone to Sudlye Castle before, with most of their Horse and Dragooners.

The chief Posts or Works (in sight) our men were to [Page 5] give on upon; were M^r Pooles mount, with the high garden wall, reaching from the Lane to the Mount Southward. Then on the other side the Lane, was Giffards house (the Barton house) and a square high Garden wall lyned with Muskettiers, with other works.

Lastly, on the left hand of this by Glocester street end, over a voyd ground, some sixe or eight score between, were two water Milles, with great & many works & walls among. By this runns the River and other Waters. There stood a Colours. On tother side the Towne and Ri­ver, my Lord of Carnarvan & L. Colonell Lunsford, had the Spittle-gate to attack, defended by high walls and works, and houses, whose Eaves were lined with Mus­quetiers, and the brasse Saker to play upon them. On Georges mount, was Captain Seimor, with his Compa­nie. Thus was Cyrencester fortified: now see how (Maugre all this) by Gods blessing, it was taken.

The Prince in the Barton-field aforesaid, drawing up His Battaglions, commended the Right side or wing, to my Lord Wentworth, Sergeant Major generall of the Dra­gooners. The Left wing the Prince himself took, com­mitting the Battell or Middle-ward to Lieutenant gene­rall Wilmot. Vnder my Lord Wentworth, were his own Dragooners, my Lord of Northamptons, Sir Edmund Duncombs, and Lieutenant-Colonell Druryes. These were seconded by Sir Thomas Byron, with the Prince of Wales His Horse Regiment. In the Left wing was Colo­nell Vsser with his own, and some 400. of those com­manded men, that morning brought in by Colonell Hen­ry Wentworth. He was seconded by Prince RUPERTS own Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonell O neale; and the faire and strong Troop of His Highnesse Life­guards, [Page 6] commanded by Sir Richard Crane. In the Battell was Colonell Lewis Kirke, with five hundred comman­ded men: being seconded by His Highnesse Prince Mau­rice Regiment. The Reserve, was committed to Sir Iohn Byron: who with his Horse Regiment was to guard the Reere, and to send out Scoutes & Patroles, that none in time or fight might fall upon us.

The Word was Queen Mary: which given, the order of the assault was thus. First were thirty Musquetiers drawn out of Colonell Kirks men, for a Forlorne hope: led by Lieutenant S^t Iohns, who performed his part bravely. These were commanded by Lievtenant Gene­rall Wilmot, who marcht along by them, to direct them where and how to fall on. Being almost at the first hedge and Close, before and betwixt Giffards and Pooles garden walles, the Lieutenant Generall sent a Minister back to the Prince to advance the Cannon, for (saies he) we are al­ready almost in the hedge. At that hedge and the low wall beyond it, was the skirmish began: S^t Iohns giving faire fier, to beat the enemies out of it. There was he shot in the Legge with a Slug bullet, and not able to advance far­ther, bad his men goe on couragiously. To second these thirty, Colonell Kirke by and by sent Captain Min and sixty Musquetiers more; with a Lieutenant and Serge­ant. After this, the whole Regiment came down the hill, to attack their design'd Post: which was Giffords Barton house and Garden wall. This Battell was led by Lieute­nant Generall Wilmot: who (by all mens confession) be­hav'd himselfe so gallantly; with such judgement com­manding, & by so much valor leading thorow the thick­est of the danger; that the victory is much beholding to him. Now the rest of Kirkes Regiment, under Lieute­nant [Page 7] Colonell Layton, Serjeant Major Windehank, Cap­tain Wivell, Captain Gerard, Captain Radcliffe, and others, coming forwards, after some hot volleyes beat the ene­my from the hedge, to the garden wall aforesaid. Vpon which our men running under the wall, and some setting their backs close to it, flung stones over their heads into it. By this time were Colonell Vsser and my Lord Went­worth comne in to this work from their severall Posts (as in their order we shall see) so that the enemy beaten out of the Howse, Works, and Wall, retired, with more hast then order, thorow Cicely hill to their first Turnepike; ours pursuing the retreat upon them, in blood and execu­tion. In this service, Lieutenant Colonell Layton, Serje­ant Major Windebank, Captain Radcliff, and Captain Ge­rard, were taken good notice of: both before the enemies retreat, and after it. Lieutenant Colonell Laytons horse, was shot thorow the neck, and Major Windebanks horse killd under him within the Towne. Captain Gerar'd brought up a stand of Pikes: and Captain Radcliff, the Reere, with good courage. Other Captains wonn their due honours, though I have no particular, but only gene­rall relations of them.

Colonell Vsser by the Prince commanded to second Colonell Kirk, had 400. commanded men with him, besides those of his own Regiment. He drawing his Pikes into a body, in the middle; flanckt them on both hands with the two divisions of Musquetiers of his own Regi­ment. The commanded Musquetiers, he in severall divi­sions sent down for the seconding of those that were al­ready skirmishing in the hedges. After which, with his Body of Pikes, and the two divisions of his own Regi­ment, he fell on both sides of Giffards house; which (in­deed) [Page 8] his order was to fire. The Pikes marching for­wards to the lane, by turning aside a waggon of Rise-Bush­es, cleered the avenue, and so entred; But the Colonell per­ceiving the garden wall (within which the enemies mus­kettiers stood) too high to be entred on the foreside, found a way to get into it on the back side. There were the ene­mies still shooting at Colonell Kirks men, both from the Works and windowes: but diverse of them, now running, some fourteen were hereabouts killed. He thus gotten to the house, with a Fire-pike in his hand, both troubled their shooting from the windowes; and by and by see fire to the house, and some Stacks and Ricks by it. So did the Soul­diers to other stacks: which made the place too hote and smoaky for the enemy. This done, he thinking by turning back thorow the garden and lane to get into the Towne; was hindred by the river: so that facing about to the Right, he there fell into the Reere of his owne Right-hand Division. This, (since Major Hutchinson was shot) was led by Captain Morrison, Captain Vavasor, and Sir Willi­am Neale, Skout-maister generall: who being a Voluntier, behaved himselfe with his sword right manfully.

By this time, Colonell Kirks, my L^d Wentworths, with Morrisons and Vavasors men, being seas'd upon the Turne-pike that openeth into the Towne: He seeing no need of helpe there, march't with his owne Division up to the Bridge beyond the Turne-pike: where leaving a guard, he turned on the left hand thorow lanes, to come at the ene­my now gathering to a head at another Work. But they flying, left him their forsaken Colours. Turning thence back to advertise the Prince, he met his L. Colonell Wash­ington: who then comming from his sick bed, would yet needs be one in the action: and so with a Body of Muske­tiers, advanced into the Towne.

[Page 9] All this while, was my L^d Wentworth and his. Wing, in as hote skirmish. His Post, by order from the Prince, was to have fall'n to the Southward, on the right hand of Pooles-mount: being, indeed, the easiest entrance into the Towne. But mis-led by their guide, they fell into the Close to the left hand of the mount: where they were both flanked from the Battery, and faced with shot from the high wall before them. This wall the Officers finding im­possible to force, drew to the left hand into the lane with Colonell Kirkes men: and entred the Turne-pike together with them. For now the enemy being beaten from the side-Worke that guarded it, Captaine Alford, Lieutenant Wharton, with some others of Sir Ed: Duncombs Regi­ment, brake over the walls on both sides, and entred a­mong the formost.

But here find I some difference, who should first breake open this Turne-pike. Some say, a Serjeant of Colonell Duncombs brake off the horse-lock: others, that a Soul­dier of Colonell Vssers, filld it with powder, and blew it open. But, doubtlesse, many valiantmen at once assisting, may equally share the glory of it. Some difference there also is, who first entred the Turne-pike. But surely, the way being broad, so many might enter it in ranck at once; that many may be said to have first entred it. But being opened, Lievtenant Colonell Russell riding formost, cryed, the Towne is ours, follow, follow. Serjeant Major Compton, likewise, on foot led on bravely: both which Earles sonnes by their forwardnesse and gallant courages; gained a great accesse of honour in the eyes of the Prince, and the whole Army.

The Footemen thus ingaged, the Horse Regiments kept their Stations at the Townes end: the Princes Life-guards [Page 10] being by him drawn up to the very lane, and within it. Even under the command of Pooles Battery: which with two peeces incessantly plaid upon them. The Prince in his owne Person did like himselfe: being still in the fire, and hotest vollies both of small and great shott. still riding up and down to give commands and incouragements. Now to the Ordinance, to direct them: then to the Foot; even to the very head of the formost. oftimes ready to alight, and lead up the Foot: yea his valiant selfe first brought up those, that first entred the Turne-pike: His pre­sence infused spirit into the Souldiers. O, theres the Prince (were some heard say) courage, lets onbravely. So heartily did the Army confide in him; and so gladly doe they all ascribe the glory of the day to him. My L^d Digby, was neere the Prince, most of that day.

His Highnes having notice by Col. Innes generall-Ad­jutant of the Foot, that the Turne-pike was wonne; present­ly commanded a For lorne hope of five and twenty of his owne Life-guards, to fall into the Towne, and by skow­ring the streets to make way for the Foot. But the time not suffering to draw them out orderly, about eight Gentle­men onely of the former Rancks, with Col. Scrimsour Ge­nerall Adjutant of the Horse, advancing formost; pursued some of the enemies thorow the street and into by-lanes: Of them, the Earle of Cleveland (riding up to him) Pi­stold one: and another Gentleman then shot another, who in his reeling, cryed Dogges, Dogges, Dogges; till the mudd stopt up both his mouth and charity. Immediately after this Forlorne hope, Sir Richard Crane with the Earle of Denbigh, my Lord Taff, and His Highnesse whole Troop fell in; putting himselfe before the Foot forces: where killing many, and [Page 11] driving all before him, he advanc'd into the Market-place. There were some three hundred Foot discovered: and, at a corner, about forty or fifty Horse. These fled upon the spurre: and the Foot getting into the houses, shot out at the windowes. The Market-place thus cleered, and Sir Richard Crane advancing Eastward up Diars street, the enemies Cannonier (a Spaniard) came running out of the Kings-head, to have fired a peece of Ordinance laden with Case-shot, full upon the croopes of the Princes troop. He was slain by a Gentleman that rode in betwixt the Spani­ard and his peece, and Pistol'd him. The Life-guards then passing on to another Turnpike at Diars streets end; spyed a body of two or three hundred enimies, in a Green or walled Close on the left hand. But the wall not suffering ours to come at them, Sir Richard Crane, (an old Soul­dier himselfe) suspecting his enemy might have so much wit and courage yet left, as (perhaps) some neerer way to chop into the Market-place, and so cut off his retreat: retired himselfe thither, and made that good, till the Foot came up. In the way he cut down diverse, that again ap­peared in the street: and the Foot coming in, the houses were sercht; some kill'd; and the rest made prisoners. Co­lonell Fettiplace and Captain Warnford, were now taken by Captain Alford, in the Lady Iordans house; over which Colonell Kirk (now coming in) set a guard; and that Captain to command it. Mr George a Parliment man was taken otherwhere. And now was the Town wholy taken on that part.

Hitherto that strong Post at the Water-Milles on the left hand of Giffards house, where the white and red Co­lours stood, was not attempted: but the enemy there see­ing the Town taken another way, took down their Co­lours, [Page 12] and retreated inwards to a bridge and chain. These were pursued thither by Ser. Major Legg; where his Lieu­tenant Noland making a stand, was shot out at a window. The enemy now perceiving our Horse could not passe the chaine, faced about and gave them a full volley: keeping their ground, till our Foot came up and beat them from it. Then was Payne (a Clothier) kill'd, with a Colours in his hand. My Lord Dillon (who was to have seconded Major Legg) was by the Prince commanded, to march up and make good the Market-place: whither he came with his Troope, whilest S^r Richard Crane was gone thence to the second Turne-pike.

In the mean time, the enemy at the Spittle-gate, con­tinued skirmishing with Leiut. Colonell Lunsford, & my Lord Carnarvan; but hearing the Towne was taken; they slung down their Armes and ranne away in company of those whom Sir Richard Crane left in the walled Close: all, after his retreat, escaping by the Streets end behind him. These were light upon by my Lord Carnarvan: who whilest Leiut. Colonell Lunsford forced the Spittle-gate; and Sir Charles Lucas with part of the Regiment fell in by the Turnpike: made down the high way without the Town to the Southward; and had the chase and executi­on of them. But his mercy brought them almost all in Prisoners. Perhaps too, Captain Seymor with his Com­pany fled this way: who when Sir Richard Crane scoured up Diars street by them; forsook their guard and Colours at Georges Battery, before ever they saw an enemy.

Now were the enemy all in fight; and ours in chase. Those that fled towards Crekelade, were by the Princes command pursued by Sir Iohn Byron: whose men remem­bring Burford; kill'd above one hundred, and took as ma­ny [Page 13] Prisoners. Among the rest, two Ministers, one M^r Stanfeild armed back and brest, with Sword and Pistolls. The other M^r Gregory of Cyrencester; who lately assured his people, That he had begged that Towne of the Lord. At first entring the Town, both Cannoniers and Musquetiers fled from Pooles battery, leaving their Colours standing: which the Prince sent to take downe, and to make good the place. These, His Highnesse Prince Maurice pursued; and some first overtaken, were there killed: but it being enough to prostrate ones selfe to a Lyon, about three hundred of them falling on heaps before the Princes feet; His mer­cifulnesse pleas'd it selfe in making them all Prisoners. Thus were all the Posts of the Town taken.

Our greater Firemen, 'twere injustice to forget: for the terror and fury of the Cannon, much eas'd the victory. On one side, the Granadoes were terrible: especially after they had fired one house. At tother end, the Ordinance were thus disposed. One of the Demi▪cannons, was bent a­gainst Pooles mount and Battery: and shooting thorow the Parapet; forc't away the Defendants. The other great peece, at randome rang'd her bullets into the Town: kill'd one Cannonier in the Market-place, and made a ter­rible rufling among the houses. Of the fower lesser peeces, two were bent upon the first hedge: and two upon the corner of the wall. At first entring the Towne, the Prince hearing some enemies to be still in Pooles house, sent for one small peece, and two Petards to force the gate: but finding no opposition, either there or elsewhere; the Or­dinance all marched into the Market-place.

Thus have you here related, what was acted by all the parts of the Kings Army, upon every part of the Town. And thus was the confident Cyrencester in an hower and [Page 14] halfes fight, and with the losse of lesse then twenty men, on our side, fully taken in on all parts: (though di­verse of them be since dead of poyson'd bullets.) By the Munday after, but nine of ours had been buryed in the Church and Churchyard: and some five or sixe else­where, which were all I heard of. Slain of theirs, those that think fewest, judge three hundred, others think more. The truth is, we could see but few men left at all in the Town▪ plainly they hid their dead and wounded men in their houses; whereof we heard many since buried in one night: but the most falling in the fields in chase, we could get no precise notice of their numbers. Prisoners wee brought away about twelve hundred: which showes the Princes and the Cavaliers mercy, as the Captives them­selves acknowledge. Of Colours taken, one Horse Cornet, two of Dragooners, and fourteen Foot Ensignes. Of Armes, abundance were drawn out of the waters: besides those taken in the houses. All their five peeces of Ordi­nance, we found standing in their places: Among the Pri­soners were some 160. wounded: whom the Prince next day sent His Surgeon and Doctor, and Chaplaines to dresse and visit. Since His Highnesse comming thence, diverse concealed wounded men have crept abroad▪ of which some dyed.

Three things would not be forgotten. One, how the dying men in the very fight cryed out; that Sir Robert Cook, M^r Stevens, M^r George, and their Preachers, had undone them. Whereby you see, that when God by afflictiō gives understanding, the justnesse of that cause cannot sa­tisfy the conscience of the dying. The second note is, con­cerning the means used by that side, for getting the poore Country people to serve under them in the Towne. Some [Page 15] of the Prisoners confessed (and others have made it good) how that the Gentlemen and Clothiers threatned them they should have no work. Others that they should be plundred. Others were violently fetcht from their houses by Dragooners, and made get up behind them. O­thers were dragg'd from their Ploughs, and others com­ming into the Towne about businesse, were there detai­ned, and threatned to be shot, if they offered to get out. This is the liberty of the Subject. And the third obser­vation is concerning the subtilty used to make this poore people fight: which was by telling them, the King had none but a rabble of poore ragged fellowes. But the Pri­soners amazed to see such numbers of gallant Gentry to come upon them, their hearts sunke within them. And when they saw again how mercifull these Gentry were in granting Quarter to them at the first begging: they ac­knowledged themselves twice conquered, both by Cou­rage, and by Curtesy.

For Governor of the Towne, the Prince left his dear brother Prince Maurice His Highnesse, with His Regi­ment of Horse: and under Him Colonell Kirke, with one thousand Foot and Dragooners: who I beleeve, will not so cheaply part with it.

Nor was Cyrencester only conquered by this Victory, but the Castles of Sudlye and Berckley, were upon the fame of it forsaken by the enemies. So were Tewksbury and the Vies. Malmsbury likewise, the next morning sent their submission, subscribed with their chief hands: and hath received Lieu: Colonell Lunsford for Governor, with foure hundred Foot: and Captain Cursons Troop of Horse. On the Munday after, the Country Gentlemen in­vited by the Princes Letters to Cyrencester; in the name [Page 16] of the County assented to a Contribution of 4000 [...] Moneth: and to advance 3000^l presently for raising [...] Regiment for His Majesties service, and safeguard of [...] County; with promise of doing more, when their Quar­ters should be inlarged by the coming in of more of the County.

God be blessed for his Victory. He grant the example may take such impression among the deceived people, that our Ierusalem may see in the day of her visita­tion, the things that belong unto her Peace.