A GREAT FIGHT AT Market-Harborough in Liecestershire, BETWIXT The Presbyterians and Independents, some declaring for his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax; others for the late elected Generals, Massie and Poynts.
WITH, The number that were slain and wounded, and the manner how the Presbyterians were put to flight.
⟨Aug: 14⟩ [...]don, Printed for Nathan [...]l Ginnings, 1647.
Upon Tuesday being the tenth of this instant Moneth of August, a great Company of young men and others, were gathered together at the signe of the Crowne (being the chiefest Inne in the town) at which Inne, most of the Roomes were filled, and many strong arguments there held, some approving of the late Engagement of Poyntz, and Massie, others detesting the same, saying they would live and dye with his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax, and that so long as breath remained within their Bodies, they would sacrifice all their lives, for Himselfe, the Army and Kingdomes Cause.
At which expression, the presbyterian party began to tremble, and shewed themselves with most inveterate Cullers, whereupon, great divisions arose, and many vehement blowes ensued, for the forenamed parties who declared themselves for the aforesaid Generals, immediatly retired out of their Rooms, and betook themselves to the back yard towards the Wind-mill, where was a very sudden engagement of a most desperate and hot Encounter, some crying out, that they would [Page]live and dye for the true Worship and Discipline of Presbytery; others saying, that they would spend their dearest bloud for the divine Worship of Independency; insomuch, that at the last the Encounter began to be so hot, that the adverse party began to practice the moving motion, and fain would have deserted the place, but could not, by reason of the close pursuit, whereupon they immediatly threw down their arms, viz. Swords, clubs, and such like weapons, crying peccavi for the former Engagement, protesting never to doe the like again.
Some were wounded, but not many slaine except two or three.
After the fight was ended, each man betook himself towards his own home, and those that were wounded attended upon my cozen Blague the Surgeon.
Our Country is now in a gallant posture of peace, &c.
Thus, for the present, I humbly take my leave, only I entreat you to vouchsafe the intelligence of these our later times, and to annexe hereunto, a copy of the late Articles in [Page]printed, as also the further proceedings of hie Excellencie, &c.
The Articles followes, viz.
I.
HIs Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, being advanced neer the City of London, with a gallant and puissant Army, occasioned by the late disturbances, and tumultuous Risings of divers dis-affected persons within this City, sent severall Messages to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Councell, for a speedy composall of all things in love, for the preservation and safety of this famous City, and for the preventing of a second Warre.
Whereupon the Right Honourable the Lord Major, together with the Aldermen, and Common-councell of the said City, seriously consulting and debating thereupon, after some time spent in debate thereof, resolved to send Commissioners to his Excellency, [Page]to treat with him, and his Councell of Warre, which was accordingly done, and the said Commissioners dispatched away, insomuch that there began a happy treaty, and after two or three dayes spent in consultation concerning the great and weighty affaires of the Kingdom, the fourth day produced happy tydings of a peace, all things being agreed upon betwixt the City and the Army, which Agreement, or Articles, were to this effect, viz.
1. That the For [...]es and Ordnance bee forthwith drawn off from the Fortifications and Bulwarks about the Lines of Communication.
2. That a speedy course may be taken for the quitting of all Forts on Southwark side, which are not as yet in the possession of the Forces under command of his Excellencie.
3. That Giles Fort, the two Forts at Foxe-Hall, and the rest of the Forts down to the Water side, be surrendred to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, or any other whom hee shall please to appoint.
All which particulars were agreed upon, [Page]and assented to by the Lord Major, Aldermen and Commons of the City of London.
The Copy of another Letter concerning the proceedings of the Presbyterians in the North.
THe Convention of the Estates at Edenburgh is newly begun, but we hear not of any resolves as yet, there be some that urge with great vehemency the necessity there is for that Kingdome to assist their Brethren that keepe the covenant in England, in which the Clergy have done their parts, and by order of the Clergy upon an apprehension of some great danger to Religion in England and Scotland the 25 of July last, a generall Fast was kept throughout Scotland, that God would direct the Committee of Estates and generall Assembly of that Kingdome in preserving thereof, and being helpfull to England, this many men beleeve doth carry a designe which is of a higher nature then every ordinary capacity attained to and the committee of Estates themselves, stumble at the designe of engaging against England, for that the invitation [...]s not sufficient, nor a party in England sufficient to countenance such an undertaking, yet the busie headed clergy endeavour what they can in their Pulpits to move and stire up the People to take up Armes, and some think it is not without good cause, for if Presbytery doth not prosper well in England, they doubt of a continued good successe thereof in Scotland.