FOrtune had now twice Counterfeited and double-Gilt the Trophees of Re­bellion, and its Brazen Trumpet re­peated Victory, betrayed or prostituted before at Dunbar, &now ravished at Worcester by numerous over-powring Force, on that Black and White day September the 3d. 1651. in the Dusk of which Fatall Evening, when the ashamed Sun had blush't in his setting, and plunged his A­ffrighted Head into the depth of Lucklesse Severn, and the Night ready to Stain and Spot her guilty Sables with loyal Blood, was attiring her self for the Tragedy; The King whose first and conspicuous valorous Essay so exceeded all comparison that it cannot but oblige Fate to preserve that Matchlesse courage and never again to venture or expose it to any Hazard) compelled to Abandon the City of Worcester, (whose Fidelity and Affection deserves [Page 4]Perpetual Memory,) after he had quitted his Court and Lodgings to which he retired from the Field, having rallied his most Faithful and Considerable Friends, divers English Lords and Gentlemen, who were resolved to accompany him in his [...]ght; was presented by that renowned Earle of Deroy with one Charles Gifford Esquire, (a person of note then of that Country and of much manifested Honour since to the World) to be his Majestic Conductor in this Miraculous, blessed Escape: who forthwith called for one Francis Yates, whom he had brought with him under the Command of Colonel Carelusse in a party that met the KING in his Advance to Wor­cester to be guide-assistant for the surer finding the by ways for his Majesties speed and safety.

In the mean time Colonel Carlesse (a Gentleman of very Gallant and Noble Endowments) was com­manded to sustain the Brunt of the pursuing Enemy, and to keep them off while the KING might be somewhat in his way; which with excellent Pru­dence and Valour he did to effect, and afterwards fled to his old retract and coverture, passing by Har­tlebury Castle, then Garrisond by the Enemy, whom he Couragiously Fought with and broke through, and came safe to his Designed shelter.

Towards three a Clock Thursday morning the 4 of September, the KING in company with the said Earle of Derby, Earle of Shrewsbury, Earle of Cleave­land, Duke of Buckingham, my Lord Wilmot, and others to the number of Fourscor came to the place called White-Ladies in the Parish of Tong in the confines of Stafford and Shropshire, being 25 miles [Page 5]distant or there abouts from Worcester, which space of ground he had rid that night.

This White-Ladies was a house belonging to one Fitz Harbert, where one George Pendril (the young­est Brother of the five who were all severally in­strumental in the conductment and preservation of his Majesty) hearing somebody knocking at the Gate so early, opening the Window he espi­ed there the aforesaid Francis Yates, who was his brother in Law, with Mr. Gifford; to whom he presently opened the door, and enquired of his brother Yates what News from Worcester, who told him that the KING was Defeated and in Pursuite, and therefore bid him to make hast and put on his Cloaths. But before he could make himself ready, the King with most of his Lords had entred the house, and came in­to the Hall, where after a short consultation held among them, the Earle of Derby called for Willi­am Pendrill the Eldest brother, (you must know that my Lord of Derby had taken this place for a subterfuge, after the defeat given him by Colonel Lilburn neer Wigan in Lanchashire, and was ac­quainted there, and by them conveyed to Wor­cester to the King; as also several other Gentle­men before had used this for their Sanctuary) who being come, George was sent to Tong to one Robert Beard an Honest Subject to enquire of him whe­ther there were any scattered parties of the Kings thereabouts, or any of the Enemies appear­ing; who brought word that the Coast was yet clear and no parties at all to be seen. In his re­turn he met with his Brother Richard; for now [Page 6]those few Inhabitants that Lived there, were a­wakned with the Noyse, and their own ill bo­ding thoughts and fears of the successe at Wor­cester.

Richard was no sooner come in, but Squire Gif­ford called for him, and bad him make hast, and bring with him his best Cloaths, which were a Jump and Breeches of Green course Cloth and a Doe skin Leather Doublet, the Hat was bor­rowed of Humphrey Pendrill the Miller being an old Gray one that turned up its Brims—the Shirt (which in that Countrey Language they call'd an Hurden or Noggen Shirt, of Cloath that is made of the coursest of the Hemp,) was had of one Edward Martin, George Pendrills Bond, and William Creswells Shoos; which the King having presently unstripped himself of his own Cloaths, did nimbly d'on. His Buffe Coat, and Linnen Doublet, and a Gray pair of Breeches which he wore before, he gave into these Brothers Hands, who forthwith buried them under ground, where they lay five weeks, before they durst take them up again. The Jewels off his Arm he gave to one of the Lords then departing.

Then Richard came with a pair of Shears and rounded the King's hair, which my Lord Wilmot having cut before with a Knife, had untowardly notched; and the King was pleased to take notice of Richards good barbing, so as to prefer his work before my Lord Wilmots, and gave him the praise of it; and now his Majesty was Alamode the Woodman.

Hereupon William Pendril was brought to the King by the Earl of Derby, and the care and pre­servation of his most sacred Majesty committed to his charge and the rest of the Brothers, (any Lord would have staid too but there was no un­dertaking security for them both) and presently the Lords took their heavy leave and departed, every one shifting for himself. Onely my Lord Wilmot was conveyed by John Pendrill to Mr. Thomas Whitgreaves, but he would have left him at several other places wich my Lord did in no wise approve of; first at one John Shores of Hungerhill, thence to John Climpson, thence to one Reynolds of the Hide, so to John Humspaiches, where passing by Coven, they had notice of Troop of Horse in the Town, and seeing some men coming behind them, (which proved to be Friends, though my Lord suspected the Country rise upon them) they betooke themselves into a dry pit, where they stayed till Evening, and then arrived safely at Mr. Whitgreaves.

The Company being all departed, a Wood­bill was brought, and put into the Kings hand, and he went out with Richard into the adjoining Woods. VVilliam departed home and Humphrey and George went out to scout, and lay hovering in the Woods to hear or see if any one approa­ched that way. But the King had not been an hour in the Wood, before a Troop of Horse of the Enemies came to VVhit-ladies, and enquired, if some of the Kings Horse and himself passed not that way, and if they could give any Infor­matiou of him; to which the Townes-folks an­swered, [Page 8]that about 3 hours ago there was a Party of Horse came thither, and they supposed the King with them, but they made no stay in the Village, but presently departed; they were here­upon so eager in the pursuit that after enquiring which way they took, they followed the rout, and made no further search there. The King straight heard this by the two aforesaid Scouts, who stragled for Intelligence into the Town.

All this day, being Thursday, the King conti­nued in the Wood upon the ground, Richard Pendrill being constantly with him, and some­times the other two Brothers: It proved to be a very rainy day, and the King was wet with showers, thereupon Francis Yates his wife came into the Wood and brought the King a Blanket, which she threw over his shoulders, to keep him dry; she also brought him his first meat he eat there, viz. a Messe of Milk, Eggs and Sugar in a black earthen Cup, which the King guessed to be Milk and Apples, and said, he loved it very well; after he had drank some of it and eaten part in a pewter Spoon, he gave the rest to George and bid him eat; for it was very good. There was no­thing of moment passed this day in Court but only the King exchanged his Wood bill for Fran­cis Yates Broom [...]ook, which was something lighter.

They had much adoe all that day to teach and fashion his Majesty to their Country guise, and to order his steps and straight body to a lobbing, jobsons gate, and were forced every foot to mind him of it; for the Language, his Majesties most gracious converse with his People in his Journey to, and at VVorcester, had rendred it very easie and very tunable to him.

About 5. a clock that Evening, the King with the retinue of Richard, Humphrey, George, and Francis Yates left the wood, and betook himself to Richards house, where he went under the name of William Jones, a woodcutter newly come thither for work; against his coming, the good wife for his entertainment at sup­per, was preparing a Fricasse of Bacon and Eggs, and while that was doing, the King held on his knee their daughter Nan: after he had eat a little, he asked Richard to eat, who replied, yea Sir I will, whereto His Majesty answered, you have a better stomach then I, for you have eaten five times to day already. After supper ended, the King according to his reso­lution to passe into Wales, prepared (when it should be dusky) to depart; before he went, Jane Pendryll the Mother of the five brethren, came to see the King, before whom she blessed God that had so honoured her Children in making them the instruments (as she hoped) of his Majesties safeguard and deliverance. Here Francis Yates offered the King thirty shillings in silver, the King accepted ten, and bad him put the other up. Humphrey would have gone before to see and view about, but the King would not let him; it being now near night, they took their leave of the King upon their knees, beseeching God to guide and blesse him.

So the King and Richard only, departed to go to one Mr. Francis Wolfe of Madeley, there to take passage into Wales. On the way they were to passe by a Mill, at a place called Evelin, and going over ('twas about nine a clock at night) the bridge of the said Mill, the Milner steps forth, and demanded, who goes there? [Page 8]having a quarterstaffe or a good cudgel in his hand, to which Richard being formost thought it not safe to reply, but the water being shallow, leapt of the bridge into it, and the King did the like, following Richard by the noyse and ratling of his leather bree­ches; the Milner being glad he was so rid of them; for (as it afterwards appeared) here was some of the Kings scattered Souldiers in his Mill, and he supposed the other to be Parliamentarians that were upon the scent for his distressed guests.

Being come to Madely to the said Master Francis Wolfes late that Night, they understood there was no passage over the water into Wales, and that it was ve­ry dangerous to abide there, the Countrey being e­very where about laid with souldiers, nor durst he en­tertain them into his House, but shewed them a Hay­mow where they might lodge; and there the King and Richard continued all that night, and the next day being Friday, and that night with the conveyance of a Maid of this Master Wolfes, who brought the King two miles on his way, they retreated back again to Richards House: Mr. Wolfe lent the King some small sum of money.

This design being crossed, Saturday morning with­out any stay at Richards, the King and he went to a House of Mistris Giffards, called Boscabell, where William Bendril and his wife dwelt as House-keepers for the said Giffard, who received him joyfully; but the Kings feet were so blistered with travelling in such course and stiffe accoutrements as he wore on his feet, and lying in them, that he was scarce able to stand or go, which Williams wife perceiving, she [Page 9]stript off his stockins and cut the blisters, and washed his feet, and gave the King some Ease.

The same time or near thereupon, that Noble Co­lonel Carelesse, who as is said before made good the Kings Rear at Worcester, and had fought his way through, after he had been two dayes at one David Jones living in the Heath in Tong-Parish, and there by him secured, (for this Col. had lain 3 quarters of a year before obscured in this Countrey, when he had been narrowly every where searcht after was brought by one Elizabeth Burgesse to this same House of Pos­cabell; and there His Majesty and he met, but the Col. was so overjoyed with the sight of the King his Ma­ster in such sure and safe hands, that he could not re­frain weeping, and the king was himself something moved with the same passion.

After a short conference and but inchoated coun­cel of the Kings probablest means of escape, it was resolved by them to betake themselves to the wood again; and accordingly about nine of the clock that Saturday morning the 6. of September they went into the wood, and Col. Carelesse brought and led the King to that so much celebrated Oake, where before he had himself been lodged: (This Tree is not hollow but of a sound firm Trunk, onely about the middle of the body of it there is a hole in it about the big­nesse of a mans head, from whence it absurdly and abusively (in respect of its deserved perpetual growth to outlast Time it self) is called Hollow; and by the help of William Pendrils wood-ladder they got up into the boughs and branches of the Tree, which were very thick and well spread, and full of leaves; [Page 10]so that it was impossible for any one to discerne through them.

When they were both up, William gave them up two pillows to ly upon between the thickest of the branches, and the King being overwearied with his travel and sore journey, began to be very sleepy; The Col. to accommodate him the best he could, de­sired his Majesty to lay his head in his lap, and rest the other parts of his body upon the pillow, which the King did; and after he had taken a good nap, (William, and his wife Joane still peaking up and down, and she commonly near the place with a nutt­hook in her hand gathering of sticks) awaked very hungry, and wished he had something to eat: where­upon the Col. pluckt out of his pocket a good lun­chion of bread and cheefe, which Joane Pendrill had given him for porvant for that day, and had wrapt it up in a clean linnen cloth, of which the King fed ve­ry heartily, and was well pleased with the service, and commended highly his good chear; and some other smal relief he had, which was put up into the Tree with a long hook-stick.

In the mean while Richard Pendrill (the first Es­quire) was sent to Woller-Hampton some three miles thence being a Market Town, to buy Wine and Bisket, and some other necessary refreshments for the King; and withal to speak with one Mr. George Man­waring, a person of known Integrity and Loyalty from Col. Carelesse, with some instructions about the Kings removal, though not expresly the King, but one of that ruined Party: in effect it was to know of him, whether he knew of any sure privacy for 2 such [Page 11]persons? to which he answered he had not himself, but would enquire if a friend of his, one Master Whitgreave of Moseley formerly and again to be spok­en of here) could do it. (So that we may see what a Loyal honest combination and secrecy there was be­tween all of these persons;) and then Richard return­ed with his Wine, &c. to the King; who towards the Evening came down by the same ladder from the Tree, and was brought into the Garden of Boscable House, where he sate in the Bower of it, and dranke part of the Wine till toward night.

Neither was Humphrey Pendrill the Miller un-em­ployed all this while, but was sent to get intelligence how things went. And the easilier to come by it, he was sent to a Captain of the Rump one Broadways, formerly a Heelmaker, under pretence of carrying him twenty shillings for the pay of a man in the new raised Militia of their County for their Mistres. While he was there in came a Colonel of the Rebels, and asked for Captain Broadway, on purpose to know what further enquiry had been made at White-Ladies for the King, relating to Broadway the Story of it; to which he replyed he knew nothing of it further then rumour, but that there was one of that place in the House that could give him an account of it. So Hum­phrey was called, and several questions put to him, which he evaded, but confest that the King had been there as was supposed, but there was no likelyhood for him to stay there, for there was three Families in the House, and all at difference with one another. The Col. told him there was a thousand pound offer­ed to any that would take or discover him, and that [Page 12]they doubted not, but within a day or two to have him delivered into their hands.

These tydings Humphrey brought with him, and omitted not to tell his Majesty of the price his Re­bells had set on him; at the telling of which, the King looked something dismayed, as having trusted his Life into the hands of such poor Men, whom such a summe as that, (though both detestable, and of inconsiderable value to the Purchase) might pervert from their Allegiance and Fidelity: which made Humphrey to be exceedingly troubled for his rashness, while Collonel Carelesse assured the King, if it were 100000 l. it were to no more purpose, and that he would engage his Soul for their truth; which Hum­phrey also with many urgent asseverations did second.

It was late, and the King was very hungry, and had a minde to a Loyn of Mutton, and being come into the House, asked William if he could not get him such a Joynt, to which he replyed, that he had it not of his own, but he would make bold at that time, and for that occasion, with one of his Masters Sheep in the Cote; which instantly he did, and brought it into the ground Cellar; where the Col­lonel not having the patience to stay while he fetcht a Knife, stabb'd it with his Dagger; and when Wil­liam came down they hung it upon a door, and fleyd it, and brought up a hind Quarter to the King, who presently fell a chopping of the Line to pieces, or (as they called it then) into Scotch Collops, which the Collonel clapt into the Pan while the King held it and fryed it.

This passage yeilded the King a pleasant jocu­lar [Page 13]discourse, after his Arrival in France, when it amounted to a Question, (a very difficult case) who was Cook, and who was Scullion? and for solution of the doubt, when it could not be decided by the Lords then present, was referred to the judge­ment of his Majesties Master Cook, who affirmed that the king was hîc & nunc, both of them.

When this nimble Collation was ended, it was time for the King to betake himself to his rest, and his Chamberlain William brought him to his apparti­ment. It was a place made between two Walls, on purpose for secrecy, contrived at the building of the House; thither they let the King down, where be slept very incommodiously with little or no rest, for that the place was not long enough for him, and therefore the next night they laid him a sorry Bed upon the Stair-case, as they used to do for strange Woodcutters, that the meannesse of his lodging might secure him from suspicion.

My Lord Wilmot as is said before, was all this while safe at Master Whitgreaves, onely his care of the King made him full of trouble. His hiding place was so sure a one, that at his first coming to it, he wished so he gave 20000 l. that the King were ei­ther as secure, or there with him; he therefore dis­patched away John Pendrill (who had attended him all along) to the White Ladies, to enquire for the King, and to give him notice of the conveniency that was at Master Whitegreaves; but when he came thither, which was on Friday, the King was then gone to Madeley, to Master Wolfes. The next day he was sent againe, and by Richards Wife directed to [Page 14] Boscabel, where he delivered the King the Message, which the King assented unto, and resolved to re­move thither.

Munday night, September 8. at eleven at night, was the time appointed for the Kings progresse to Moseley, but a Horse was hard to be found. John was ordered to borrow one of one Stanton of Hatton, but he had lent his out before; when the Collonel remembred that Humphrey the Miller had one, and he thereupon was called and desired to lend him for the Kings Service; it was a kinde of War-horse, that had carryed many a load of provision, Meal and such like, but now he put upon him a Bridle and Saddle, that had out-worn its Tree and Irons, and at the time prefixed brought him to the Gate.

As soon as the King had notice of it, out he came, and would have had none but Collonel Carelesse, and John to have gone along with him, but they told him, it was very dangerous to venture himselfe with so few, they therefore intreated his Majesty that he would give them leave to go with him, which at their importunity he granted.

Having mounted the King, Collonel Carelesse and the six brethren guarding him, two before, and two behinde, and one of each side, armed with Clubs and Bills (Humphrey, leading his Horse by the Bridle) they began their journey. It was five miles from Boscabel to Mosely Master Whitgreaves, and the way in some places miry, where the Horse blundering, caused the King to suspect falling, and bid Humphrey have a care, to which he answered, that that now fortunate Horse had carried many a heavier weight [Page 15]his time, six strike of Corn (which measure the King understood not) but now had a better price on his back, the price of three Kingdomes, and there­fore would not now shame his Master.

Their travel was soon and safe ended, and the King brought the back way to a stile that led to the House, Humphries led the Horse into a Ditch, and the King alighted off upon the stile; but forgetting that most of his Guard were to return home, was gone five or six steps onward, without taking leave of them, but recalling himself returned back and said, I am troubled that I forget to take my leave of my friends; but if ever I come into England by fair or foul means, I will remember you, and let me see you when ever it shall so please God; so they all kissed his Hand and departed, but the Collonel, John, and Francis Yates, who guided the King to the House.

There Master Thomas Whitgreave received the King dutifully and affectionately, and brought him in to my Lord Wilmot, who with infinite gladnesse, kneeled down and embraced his knees. After a little conference, his Majesty was had to his lodging, and the intriques of it shown him; where after the King had rested himselfe that night, they entred in­to consultation about the escape, which had been projected by my Lord Wilmot before.

Francis Yates departed, but John staid two or three dayes longer with the King, while he went away. On Wednesday noon a Troop of the Rebels horse passed through the Town and made no stay, which John told not the King of till after noon, because [Page 16](as he then said) he would not spoil his Majesties Dinner.

Now the King prepared and fitted himself for his journey, and one Mr. Huddlestone and Master VVhit­greave accommodated him with Boots, Cloak, Mo­ney, &c. and Iohn Pendril was sent to Mistresse Lane about it, who sent him back again with a parcel of leaves of Walnuts, boyled in Spring Water, to co­lour his Majesties hands, and alter the hue and white­nesse of his Skin in those places that were most obvi­ous to the eye, and by him gave notice to the King, what time she should be ready.

On Thursday night the eleventh of September, Collonel Lane came with his Sister to a field adjoy­ning, and there they put the King before her. Iohn having the honour to hold the Kings Stirrup while he mounted, and presently they two set forward, (having taken directions to know the Countrey) and my Lady Lane having several recommendations to the allyes, friends and acquaintance of her family, that lay in their intended road, if any untoward oc­casion should put them to the tryal.

The several adventures which that Heroical Lady passed and overcame, in the management of that grand affair of his Majesties life, will become and be­fit a worthier Paper, and a Nobler Pen, and there­fore let the blessed and thrice happy event of that her fortunate Loyalty, restrain a curious enquiry of the means, which probably may be some arcana imperii, secrecy of State now, as well as then of the King, not yet fit to be divulged. Miracles indeed of this benigne and propitious influence are very rare (God [Page 17]hath not dealt so with the Nations round about us) Especially where Humane Coadjument, and that so signally (in the tacitenesse of so many persons con­cerned) hath been instrumental; and therefore why may we not (as we fearfully behold Comets) with delight look upon the serene smiles of Heaven (in His Majesties preservation) and the Rayes of its Goodnesse diffused into the Breasts of those Loyal Persons his Guardians, (for whose Honour more es­pecially this Paper officiously obtrudes it self) with such weak eyes as we now see with, before we can have the benefit of a prospective (the full Relation)

Let it therefore suffice and content us, that it pleased the Divine Wisedome and Goodness to pro­tect and defend our most gracious Soveraign in all dangers and places and conditions whatsoever, in that his incumbred passage through his own rightful Do­minions, and without the least umbrage of suspition, to conveigh him out of the hands of his blood-thir­sty Trayterous Enemies, who thought themselves sure of Him, That so killing the Heir, the Inheritance might be theirs.

He remained or rather Pilgrimaged from one Sanctuary to another in England near the space of five weeks, and like other Princes, though not on the same Account was present incognito while such time as a Convenience of Passage could be found for him in Sussex, where after he had Embarqued Him­self in a Barke out of a Creek, He was put back a-again by contrary weather into the same place, be­ing disguised in a Saylors cloaths; but the wind veer­ing [Page 18]about more favourably about the end of Octo­ber, 1651. Landed at Deep in Normandy, from whence an Expresse was sent to her Majesty of England, to acquaint her of His safe Arrival, which was present­ly communicated to the French Court, who appear­ingly with great Manifestation of Joy welcomed the Newes: But His Majesties most Affectionate Uncle, the late Duke of Orleans did with entire joy, As also sundry of the most eminent French Nobi­lity, Congratulate His Deliverance, which they te­stified by a most Splendid and Honourable Cavalcade at His Reception and Entry into PARIS.