Exact and certaine NEWES From the Siege at YORKE.
And of many remarkable passages of our Armys in those parts, extracted out of diverse Letters which were sent by this last Post from Hull, to a Gentleman of Grayes-Inne.
As also the taking of Mulgrave Castle, and in it Sir Walter Ʋavasour, Sir Peter Middletons eldest Sonne, and other Gentlemen of quality.
Together with the Relation of the Scots second Army, advanced to Blithenooke in Northumberland, and their taking of Morpeth Castle.
With many other remarkable Observations▪
Iuly 3. London, Printed for Mathew Walbanke. 1644.
AN EXTRACT OF Foure severall Letters written from HULL, and sent by this Post to a Gentleman of Grayes-Inne, by a prudentiall friend of his, newly returned thither from the Leaguer before YORKE.
1MY Lord of Manchesters Forces are daily in action, straitning the besieged in their quarters; and battering about Bowdan-Barre and the Mannor, and the besieged frequently issuing forth, and skirmishing. Iune 24, there were about 20 taken, and as many slaine on the Kings party, and two or three hurt and slaine on my Lord of Manchesters, but this is reported something diversly.
[Page] 2. The Scots Forces for the most part stirre not, by reason the Enemie sallied not out so oft against their quarters.
3. My Lord Fairfax and his quarter is also often in action, about and against Monck-Barre.
4. Prince Ruperts Army, especially in horse, is reported to be great, and a great part of brave horse and good foo [...], under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, and Major Generall Lesley, are gone forth towards Rippon and those parts, to meet and fight with them.
5. I beleeve (so far as I can conjecture) the Yorkists are neither quickly nor easily to be conquered, but are resolved to try all extremity in expectation of the comming and ayde of Prince Rupert; God turne all to the good of the Church and [Page]Common-wealth.
6. All the great and vast dales in the North-riding of Yorkeshire, together with their two strong Castles of Midlan and Bolton, stand still as formerly, to wit, in a neutrall posture, and to this day would never beare Armes, or pay Contributions, notwithstanding all their severall summons, threats, propositions sent unto them.
7. Colonell Charles Fairfax, a prudent & valiant Gentleman, hath again reduced most of the Bishopricke of Durham to the obedience of the King and Parliament, and are now with about 1200. horse about Durham and Sunderland.
8. Last night newes came hither, (believed true and certaine) that a new Armie of Scots is come into Northumberland to Blythenooke, of about [Page]ten or twelve thousand, and that they have already taken Morpeth-Castle, and that Colonell Clavering and the Scottish Lords with him, have rested themselves in Newcastle.
9. These seas heere are full of danger and robberie.
Out of another Letter.
10. Wee hold our siege yet, but are so prepared, that if Prince Rupert doe come, we are ready to meet him, we heare much of his advance this way, but no certainty which way he will fall into the Country.
11. Mulgrave Castle is taken, Sir Walter Vavasor, Sir Peter Middletons eldest sonne, and divers others.
Out of another Letter.
12. There is about Whitby some Ordnance landed for us, of which Colonell Bointon having notice, did prepare Forces to conveigh them to Mulgrave Castle, (now in our hands) and had sent Letters to some Troops in Holdernesse to assist him: which Letters Sir Hugh Cholmley intercepting: and understanding therby the designe, makes his strength, & goes and skirmisheth with our Forces, which a Master of a Ship on our side perceiving, sent a shoare a Drake and 20 Musquetiers which by a mistake came to Sir Hugh Cholmley, and so were surprised, but we heard this day that Whitby is taken by Colonell Bointon, and that Drake, with 40 men and Armes taken, and one [Page] Newton is left Governour in it.
13. Wee now heare also from Sir Thomas Fairfax, who is about Rippon with his Army, that he cannot heare or learne that Prince Rupert is approaching any thing nearer Yorke, yet they are very cautious, and prepare for him, least that Vbiquitarian steale on them unawares.
14. Our hopes are rather to starve then storme Yorke, but our desire is to have it by composition and yeeldance.
15. Cawood Castle had like to have beene surprised, by a partie of Horse from Pomfret, but was prevented by the vigilancie of the Guards, though some Prisoners escaped.
1. July 1644.
Jmprimatur,