A briefe and compendious Narrative of the renowned, ROBERT, Earle of Essex, his pedegree, His valiant acts performed when he was Generall of the Parliaments Army, &c.
I Shall not trouble you with the Narrative of the many pious actions of this noble Lord in his minority: he was much beloved of the Commons, he had a publique spirit, his experience was great: hee travelled beyond the seas, and acted well at home. When times began to be reformed, he was made a Privy Counsellor; and the King raising Fore [...]s against the Parliament, this good Earle was looked on with great affection, and England had great hopes to be eased by him, for none was more in the affections of the people.
Iuly 12. 1642. The Parliament being acqu [...]inted that the King had besieged Hull, with many Horse and Foot, that his Forces were trenching themselves, and had 24 peeces of Canon to plant against the Towne, both Houses voted the 22. of Iuly 1642. His Excellency the Earle of Essex to be their Captaine Generall, and to live and dye with him: And the Earle of Bedford was voted Lieutenant Generall of the Horse. Before which time, the Earle of Warwick was made Admirall of the Seas, and then of the Navy: His Excellency having received his Commission from the Parliament, the City of London assisted him in the raising of nigh 10000. men, for his owne Army, they were drawne into Regiments, and daily exercised in the discipline of Warres by Orders from his Excellency, but in the meane time, those that adhered to the King, laboured to set up the Commission of Array in all parts of the Kingdom; but those that adhered to the Parliament, joyned with his Excellency, and laboured to set up the Militia.
The Parliament having placed Deputy-Lieutenants for the severall Counties of the Kingdome, gave Commissions to the Earle of Pembrooke, E. of Stamford, the Lord Say, Lord Brookes, Lord Roberts, Lord Willoughby of Parham, and others. The King proclaimed both his Excellency and them Traytors, but the Parliamene published their faithfulnesse. And the 15. of August his Excellencies Army was drawn out of the City of London,
August the 20. His Majesty came against Warwicke, and playd against the City with Batteries, and Prince Rupert landed at Newcastle with Armes from beyond Sea, and the Commission of Array was laboured for in Kent, but prevented: a party of Horse & Foot being sent by his Excellency, took Cobham house, the Block-houses at Gravesend, the Bridge at Rochester, and Dover Castle, and secured other parts of the County.
August the 22. His Majesty set up his Standerd at Nothingham, Sir Iohn Lucas and divers others were taken prisoners. But the Kings Foote plundred divers Waggons at Litchfield that were loaden with cloathes for the reliefe of the Protestants in Ireland.
Aug. 23. The Lord Brooks and Col. Hampden fell on the Kings Forces raised from Coventry, routed 7. Troops of Horse, and 300. Foot, killed 40. and took 60. prisoners neere Southwell, amongst the rest Cap. Legge and Cap. Clarke prisoners, the Earle of Carlisle taken prisoner, and committed to the Black-rod.
The Earle of Bedford with a party from his Excellency forced the Marquesse of Hartford, the Lord Paulet, Sir Ralph-Hopton, Sir Iohn Stowell, and others, 500. in number, to retire into Sherburne Castle.
The E. of Stamford reli [...]ved Leicestershire, and rescued much goods that Col. Hastings had plundered, P. Rupert came to joyne with Hastings.
The Lord Admirall came with a Squadron before Plymouth Roads, and took a Merchants Ship and a man of War from Spain, both comming to the King.
Septemb. 1. Divers prisoners were taken in Lincolneshire by Col. Sir Anthony Irby (viz.) Sir William Ballardine, Major Lilb [...]way, Major D [...]llman, Killiguay, and divers others. Col. Lunsfords Sumpter Horse was taken in Oxfordshire, himselfe hardly escaping.
Sir W. Waller and Col. Norton forced Goring into Portsmouth, [Page 3]and Southsay Castle was surrendred to them: also in like manner Portsey and Portsmouth were surr [...]ndred.
Septemb. 9. his Exc [...]llency took his leave of the Parliament, and passed through the City guarded in triumph, and many vollyes shot at parting a [...]d prayers for him and his Forces. 46. Cavaliers were taken in Oxfordshire, and sent to London.
Sep. 13. the Lord Montague was taken Prisoner and committed to the Tower; prince Rupert being joyned with the King, and marched towards Chester to joyne with Sir Iohn Byron.
Sep. 22. the parliament sent a petition to be sent to the King, by his Excellency, from them, with instructions for the ordering of th [...] Army, under his Excellency, which was sent by Sir Phil [...]p Stapleton. And his Excellency marched with his Army to Shrew [...] bury, with 300. Horse, and seize on the Magazine. After which the King joyned his whole Army with the Lord Strange, and possest himself of Chester, his number 10000 Foot and 3000. Horse. But the meane while the E. of Bedford took Sherborne Castle.
Col. Fines, with Col. Sands, Col. Browne, with others, consisting of 10. Troops of Horse, and 1000. Foot, engaged with prince Rupert, P. Maurice, and Sir Iohn Byron, killed 30. and lost 28. amongst the rest Major Douglas. But the meane while 200. Cavalliers were beaten off at Northampton. And the Lord Fairfax, Generall of the North, did many good services, and took many prisoners in York-shire, many Horse and Foot out of severall Counties came in to joyne with the E. of Essex.
His Excellency marched on to Worcester, and took the City. Malignants had plotted to blow up his Quarters with 11. barrels of Gunpowder, but the plot was discovered and prevented. He sent the Parliaments Petition to the King, and was called Traytor for his labour, yet went on with gallant courage and resolution.
Worcester also, and Hereford mere taken by him. And the King retreated to Shrewsbury, and the E. of Derby besieged Manchester. The Lo: Fairfax took Kewood Castle, and Pontfract Castle.
Afterwards the King went against Hereford, but was kept out till his Excellency came to relieve them: and followed the King to Worcester, where he received Propositions from the King, which his Excellency sent to the Parliament, and fortifyed Worcester, and secured Bridgenorth: and hearing that the King had appointed P. sb [Page 4] Rupert, the E. of Derby, E. of Cumberland, E. of Worcester, Marquesse of Hertford, E. of Cardigan, Lo: Herbert, and the Lo: Coventry with their forces to joyne with him, his Excellency prepared to give them Battaile: And in the meane time a party from his Excellency defeated the Lord Grandison, neere Gloucester, killed 50. took 30. prisoners, and took the towne, and the Lord Willoughby, fell on P. Ruperts Quarters, and killed 30. on the place, but with some losse.
The Kings Forces joyning, marohed towards Coventry; his Excellency followed him so close, that they stayd not there. The Parl. secured Windsor Castle, and the Tower of London.
Octob. 3. a great battail was fought between Keinton and Edgehill, between both Armies; the King in person being in the head of the one, with P. Charls, the Duke of Yorke, with divers Dukes, Marquesses, Earles, Viscounts, Lords, and Knights, and the Earle of Essex in the head of the other, with divers Lords and Commons, Members of both Houses of Parl. where his Excellency after a bloody fight, obtained a gallant victory, and took 16. Colours from the King, killed Robert Earle of Lindsey, Lord high Chanceller of England, George Lord D' Aubeny, brother to the Duke of Richmond and Lenox, Sir Edm. Varney Knight Marshall to the King, and divers other eminent men, and took many prisoners.
Afterwards the King having taken Banbury, marcht to Reading, his Forces were kept out of Windsor. The Parliament sent a Petition to the King by Commissioners, but the Kings Forces in a misty night, Novemb. 12. marched to Brainford, and killed many of Col. Hollis his men in their Quarters, yet his Excellency relieved them by the Lo: Brooks, and Col. Hampdens Regiments: many were slaine on both sides. And his Excellency came up so close to them, that they fled to Henly, and brake down the bridge to hinder the pursuit: and the City of London shewed so much willingnesse to assist his Excellency in what they might, as could be expected, as his gallantry had well deserved. 13. pecces of Ordnance were brought downe by water, and discharged against them at Sion house, which did execution, so that the enemy to be revenged plundered the passage boats which they found on the water side.
Thursday the 17. in the night the City of London tooke a great Alarum, to Oxford, 3. City Regiments with 12 pecces of Ordnance [Page 5]were drawne out, to releeve His Excellency. A great party of His Majesties Forces were about Charsey, Brainford, Hou [...] s [...], Hamersmith, and parts adj [...]cent, some Capitulations there was betweene the King and Parliament, but it came to no effect; And therefore His Excellency forced them from their quarters, and drave them from Brainford, Kingston, Hunslow, &c. The King retreating to Oxford, his forces about Abbington, Wallingford, and Redding. And the 25. of November, His Excellency returned to the Parliament, to acquaint them with the state of the Army, and to provide subsistance for his Forces, for winter quarters.
In December Sir William Waller took Winebester, the Lord Grandison, and 60. great Officers, 1000. Horse and Foot, and 600. Armes. The Lord Fairfax Routed the Earle of Newcastle neere Tadcaster. Sir William Waller took Arundel Castle. And the city of Chichester.
In Ianuary the Lord Fairfax Routed the Earle of Newcastle again neer Bradford. Again, the Lord Fairfax Routed the Earl of Newcastle neere Leeds. Leeds taken by the Lord Fairfax. His Excellency Routed the Kings Forces neer Henly, and took 200. Prisoners. Sir William Brereton Routed Sir T. Aston by Namptwich, took 100. Prisoners Horse and Foot.
In February Sir Iohn Seaton in Lancashire took Preston, Lancaster Town, and Castle. The Western Forces Routed the Cornish neer Madbury, took five piece of Ordnance, 10 Officers, 100. Prisoners, and 200. Armes. Sir Th. Aston again routed by Sir W. Brereton at Middlewich.
March Sir W. Brereton took Lichfield close. Sir W. Brereton Routed the Kings Army neer Stafford, the Earl of Nerthamton and many more slain. Lastol also taken. Sir W. Waller tooke Mal [...]sbury by storm.
In April, 1643. Col: Massey Routed the Welch in the Forrest of Dean. Col: Massey took Tewksbury. Wigg [...]n taken by Sir Iohn Seaton. Sir W. Waller took three Troops of Prince Maurice's Horse. Sir W. Waller took Manmouth in Wales. Sir W. Waller took Higman, and in it 150 Officers and Gentlemen, 1000. Prisoners. Sir W. Waller took Rosbridge and Chepstow. And Hereford taken by storme by Sir W. Waller, and in it 40. Knights and Officers in Commission, and 600. Prisoners. Sherburus Castle [Page 6]and Hemster taken by Sir W. Waller. The Lancashire man took Whaley. The Lincolneshire men took Crowland.
His Excellency having received recruits, mustered 3 compleat Regiments in the Artillery Ground at London: And His Excellency marched to his Forces to Henly, making preparations against the enemy. And marched with his Army against Redding, in number 12000. Foot and 2000. Horse, where he had some parly with Colonell Aston the Governour; and had releefe sent him from London. A party came to releeve Redding, but were beaten back, and 16. of their men were slaine, and another party gathering neere Dorchester, where divers were slaine, and 100. taken Prisoners, and a third time, Prince Charles and Prince Rupert, with 45. Troops of Horse and 9. Regiments of Foot, were beaten back by the L. Roberts, 80. killed on the place, 4. taken in the pursuit, many prisoners taken, and 200 Arms. And April 20. the Enemy being 3500. marched out and delivered Redding, to His Excellency. And the workes about the City of London, were made by the assistance of the Inhabitants, men, women and children. The City sent provisions to his Excellency, which was distributed thus.
- His Excellenties Army 2. load.
- The Lord Greys Foot 6. load.
- Major Gen. Skippons 1. load.
- Colonel Hampdens 1. load.
- The Lord Roberts 1. load.
- Sir William Constable 1. load.
- Sir John Meldrum 1. load.
- Colonel Bartlet 1. load.
- Colonel Holborne 1. load.
- Colonel Holmsted 1. load.
- Colonel Cholmley 1. load.
- Rochford, Peterboroug, and Vallard, 2 load.
- To the Traine 1 load.
- To the Pioners 1. load.
And his Excellency being resolved to march towards the King, came to London, May 11. to acquaint the Parliament there with. And the Queene was going towards Oxford with 52. waggons of Ammunition, and 44. barrels of Gunpowder. A treaty was between the King and the Parliament, but took no effect. So his Excellency returned to his Army to Reading, Iune 8. preparing to march towards Oxford, and accordingly his Excellency marched through Stoken Church, and so on towards Whateley: and the E. of Denbigh was made Generall of the Counties of Stafford, Worcester, Salop, and Warwick.
In July his Excellency forced the Kings party from Wheatly bridge, where he took 80. Horse. His Majesty put out a Proclamation excepting his Excellency, and divers members out of pardon: Which caused the Parliament to put out a declaration to vindicate them. At which time the sicknesse was very hot about Oxford. And the 9. of July his Excellency sent Sir Philip, and Colonell Goodwin towards Buckingham; who raised the Kings men from their quarters, and killed and took divers.
But Thursday, July 16. Sir William Waller being over-powred, receiving losse at the Devizes, the Queen joyned her Forces with the King, neere Edge-hill. All this while his Excellency giving a check to the Kings Army.
The Kings Army besieged Glocester; gallantly defended by Colonell Massie: His Excellency marched from Ailsbury Aug. 23. to relieve him. On which day, Colonell Massie (besides divers other repulses) made a sally upon them, and took 3. peeces of Ordnance, and killed many. In September there joyned with the Lord Generall, 2. Regiments of London Train-bands, and 3. Regiments of Auxiliaries; who raised the siege, and brought in Ammunition and provisions. And three dayes after his Excellency marched to Cerencester, where he beat two Regiments of the Kings, tooke the Kings Magazine of bread, and nigh 400. prisoners.
After which his Majesty with his whole Army, being again drawn into the field, his Excellency marched up to them: the Queen came up to the Kings Army and a great Party with her, to strengthen his Majesties Army against the Earle of Essex: But his Excellency fought with them neere Newbery, where hee killed five Lords, with divers others of quality. The King with the losse of 500. men retreated to Edge-hill, whither the Queen came to him from the North, and joyned her Forces.
In September th Earle of Manchester took Horn Castle, and the Citie of Linco [...]n. Eccleshall taken by Sir William Brereton, who caused Lord Capels forces at Lappinton to retreat.
In October Lord Capels Forces beaten at Leigh-bridge, and forced into Shewsbury. Holt-baidge taken. And in Nouember Colonell Birch routed the enemies forces. Wrexam in Wales taken taken by Sir William Brereton. The enemy beaten. The Dorsetsbire men took Wareham.
In December Sir Tho. Middleton took Flint. Moston taken. Colonel Massie took Woorton. The Plimouth forces routed by the Lord Digby. Sir William Waller routed the L. Craford neere Aulton. Aulton taken by Sir William Waller. Col. Skippon took Grafton-house. Holt-House, Bewly-House, and Hawardin castle taken by Sir W. Brereton.
In Januaay Sir W. Waller took Arundel Castle, and 200. prisosoners. Colonell Mitton routed Sir I. Biron neere Elsmore. Sir John Gell took Burton upon Trent. Hilson taken, and Laicock House. The Earle of Manchester took Croyland. Burleigh House, Cocket Island taken by the Scots: Gussanna taken by Sir W. Brereton.
In February Sir W. Brereton took a fortified house in Wales by storm. Sir W. Brereton routed L. Capels forces, and brought 3000. of the enemy to nothing. The Isle of Axolm taken by Sir John Meldrum. Burlington also and Whitby taken, and Milus house by the L. Fairfax. Alnwick and Morpith by the Scots, Milford haven by Captain Swanley, Biddle-house by Sir Tho. Fairfax, where was taken the L. Brereton, 20. Officers of note and 300. prisoners. Hilsley House and Newbery taken by Sir W. Balfore.
In March was taken, Bredport. The Pembrokeshire men with Cap. Swanleys Sea-men took Haverford West. Timby Castle taken, with 7. peeces of Ordnances, and 400. prisoners and Arms. Carew castle taken, the Earle of Carbery routed, Sonderland taken by the Scots. Sir W. Waller routed Hopton at Cheriton, neere Alsford; one Lord, and 100. more slain, 100. Officers, and 500. Souldiers taken prisoners. Whitchurch taken by Dorsetshire men.
In April 1644. the L. Fairfax took Cawood Castle. Axolm and Crowland taken Whitchurch in Dorsetshire, and Waltham taken by Col. Brown. Adlington taken in Cheshire by Col. Duckinfield and Major Morgans men. Also Dedington house and Crow. The Earle of Newcastle routed at Selby. Duresme and Lumley taken by the Scots.
In May the Earle of Manchester took Lincoln and the Castle, 7. peeces of Ordnances. 200. Kinights, Colonels, and other Officers of note, 300. Armes, and 800. prisoners.
In May, 1644. his Excellency desired the Parliament to have a Committee to reside with him in the Army, & his Excellency made preparations to the field, and presently besieged Oxford, where the King then was: and at the beginning of June got away towards [Page 9]the West, the King and the Prince being gone to Exeter with the Lord Paulet, and others: his Excellency having taken divers prisoners, drew his Army after them. The Queen fled over into France; his Excellency took in the Well divers persons in severall places amongst which many of quality, and divers Garrisons. In June his Excell. secured Weymouth, Taunton Deane, Wartham, Bavonestable, Mount Stanford neere Plimouth, Plimpton, Saltash and Lanceston. And in July his Excellency gave a defeat to Greenvill neer Lestithiel in Cornwall, and took 100. prisoners, and killed 300. upon the place, and then took Tadcaster and Foy, and did beat them from Newbridge, still taking more prisoners daily.
The Pembroke men took Carnarvan and the Castle. Col. Massie routed Sir John Winter at Newnham, took 9. peeces of Ordnance, 200. Officers, and 500. prisoners. Brereton Castle taken, & Malmsbury taken, with 7. peeces of Ordnance, and 300. prisoners. The Scots took Lumly Castle. Bewdly in Worcestershire taken. And Yarmouth, by Sir Iohn Meldrum. Abingdon by the L. Robers. Russell Hall by the Stafford Forces.
In June Col. Massie took Chippingham, & Tewksbury: Sir W. Waller took Shudly, took two pieces of Ordnances, 70. Officers and Gentlemen, 40. Horse, 250. prisoners. Compton house taken by the Warwickshire men, 30. Officers and Gentlemen, 60. Horse, and 140 prisoners. Weymouth by Sir W. Balfore, 27. peeces of Ordnance, & 400. Arms. Taunton Dean by him likewise. Oswestree by the Earle of Denbigh Cholmley house by him likewise. His Excellency took Barnstable and Taunton. The great Battell at Marstone Moore was fought, where all the 3. Generals Armies were engaged on both side: we killed 4000. and took 1500. prisoners, and the Earle of Newcastle, and Pr. Rupert both utterly defeated. Greenland house taken by Col. Brown. Wilny Ferry by Sir Iohn Gell. York surrendred to the 3. Generals, Tickell to the Earle of Manchester. Mount Stamford neere Plimouth, taken by his Excellency, and Plimpton with 8. peeces of Ordnance, and Saltash also, and Lanceston, Greenhil house taken, and Morpith Castle.
In July the Lord Roberts routed Greenvill neere Listithiell in Cornwall, took 100 Officers and Gentlemen, and killed and tooke 300. more. Newbridge taken by his Excellency. Sir W. Brereton defeated Newcastles Army, going to joyn with the Lord Capels and [Page 10] Biron, about Chester and Wales. Sir Thomas Middleton surprized the enemy at Welsh-poole, and took 100. horse and prisoners. Sir M. Langdale defeated at Melpesse by S. W. Breretons Forces, and divers prisoners of note taken. Sir W. Breretons Forces beat the enemy at Tarvin, and after beat Col. Marrows Forces in Cheshire: and a third time beat the enemy out of Worrall Island.
In Aug. his Excellency fell upon the Cornish Brigade neer Saltash, and brake through their Army, slew many of them upon the place, took 300. prisoners and four Drakes. Shelford taken by the Earle of Manchester, and likewise Welbeck House, VVareham by his Excellency, Gatesh ad at Newcastle by the Scots, VVinkfield Mannor by Sir Iohn Gell, and Redcastle by Sir T. Middleton.
The Kings, whole Army, Maurices and Greenvils, were erawn into th field in Battalia, in number almost 2 [...]000. men neere Lestithiell, where his Excellency daily skirmished with them, killed many, took prisoner Col. Champernoon, who was sore wounded, and divers more: many lying 6. and 8. in a heap; and upon desire his Excellency granted them leave (at a parly) to bury their dead.
On Saturday the 24. of Aug. 1644. his Excellency appointed Major Generall Whitc [...]t, and Col. Ware to guard the Reare of Lestithiel, and make a dam tostop provisions from the Kings Army that way; and his Excellency with a small party of Col. Gowres Regiment, beat off 3000. Hhrse and foot from Blazy bridge, appointed by the enemy to stop provisions from Millibilly Bay, where his Excellency killed many, and tooke prisoners a Colonell, 2. Captains, and divers others.
In the beginning of September his Excellency notwithstanding he was so over-powred by the enemy, yet preserved both himselfe and hls men, forced the enemy from the Sea-coasts, and got safe to the Lord Admiralls his Horse not above 3000. brake through the whole body of the Kings Army; and his Foot not above 6000. though incompassed with 20000 of the Kings, from Gromporond, Enedor, and Foy, even to Blazy bridge, who were resolved to give no quarter to our men; yet they fought it out so gallantly, killing two of theirs for every man that we lost, untill at last they got Articles from the Kings party to have a safe convoy to Lestithiel, Pool, and Wareh [...]m, their sick to remaine at Foy; and none of them be pressed to desert their service to his Excellency.
And his Excellency being recruited in September from the Parliament and in December had his randezvous at Titchfield, and falling on the Kings Reare, took almost an hundred prisoners neere Kingscleare; and with the assistance of the Earle of Manchester, and Sir W. Waller, routed the K [...]ngs Army neere Newbery, and tooke 9. peeces of Ordnance, 300. prisoners, and 500. Armes.
In September Col. M [...]sley [...]ron [...]ed Prince Rupert, tooke 12. Peices of Ordinance, 100. Horse, and 200. Foote.
In October the Scots tooke Newcastle by storme, and in it 20. Lords and Knights, 50. Officers of note, 2000, Prisoners 48. peices of Ordinance, and 3000. Armes.
The Earl of Manthester and Sir William Waller routed the Kings Army neere Newbery. and tooke 9. pieces of Ordinance, 300. Prisoners, and 500. Armes. Tinmouth Castle surrendred to the Scots. Liverpoole taken, & Col. Egerton defeated at Farme in Cheshire by Sir William Brereton, Holt Castle taken by Col. Crooke.
In November, Helmsley taken by the Lord Fairfax, the enemy driven from Newbery, Farringdon and Malborough by the Earle of Manchester, and Sir William Waller, the enemy beaten by Captaine Stone neere Ecleshall.
Decemb. the Pembroke men tooke Laughorne, the Scots Carlisle, the Lincolnshire men Croyland, Col. Massey Monmouth, and the Lord Fairfax tooke Knais brough.
In Ian. Russel house taken by E. Denby, Bellasith Garison, neere Abingdon by Col. Browne, the enemy beaten at Christleton neere Chester by fir William Breretons forces, the enemy routed at Eaton in Cheshire, fir william Breretons forces beat Prince Ruperts and Maurices, forces going into the North to joyne with the Northern forces.
In Feb. Col. Laughorne routed the enemy in Pembrokeshire; tooke 4. peices of Ordinance, 400. Armes, and 300. Prisoners, Sir Iohn Meldrum tooke Scarborough Towne, 30. peices of Ordinance, and 100. Ships, Col. Mytton tooke Shrewsbury, and in it 100. Knights and Esquires, and Officers in Commission, 36. peices of Ordinance, 3000. Armes, and 2000. Prisoners.
In the latter end of March, 1645. the Lord Fairfax and the Scots tooke. the Castle of Scarborough, Weymouth retaken by [Page 12]Col. Sydnham, Blechindon house taken, and Col. Massey tooke Evisham, 30. Officers and Gentlemen, 150. Horse, and 400 Prisoners and Armes.