THere hath been of late dayes many attempts made against the Forts and Castles that are the keyes of the Kingdome, as wee count them, and may justly torme them so, by reason that they are the strong bolds that wee have for our defence, which attempts hath bin made [Page 2]by the Cavaleers the scum of the Coun­trey, who hath beene beaten often off by the Religious partie that stands for Gods true Gospel, yet for all this they could not be at rest and quiet, but must needs presume to assault Windsore Castle the key and strength of the adjacent Coun­ties, but they and all their plots could not take effect, for they were soone dis­cryed, insomuch that if they had not be­tooke themselve to flight, they had most of them been taken, yet still must these blood-sucking Rebels be in action, al­though they come by the worst out, as may plainely appeare by these ensuing particulars:

The Cavaleeres and the rest of those persons that are ill affected to the Par­liament seeing that they could not bring to passe their wicked designs concerning Portsmouth on the 16. of this instant month of August they assembled together neere to the Ile of Wight, thinking to enter on [Page 3]the same in the night time, but they were disappointed, for misinformation had beene given to the Inhabitants of the said land, and so by that means they could not bring their designes perfacti­on, and understanding also the number of Cavaleers, and the place where they lay, they appointed Captaine Johnson a man of most puistant courage, to fally forth of the Town with 300. men very we armed, who comming to the said place, where the Cavaleeres were billited, Cap­taine Iohnson gave fire against them, the Cavaleeres seeing that, most furiously charged against the said Captaine and his followers and hurt some two of his men, but at the last they bad the worst out, for about 9. of the clock in the fore­noon they began to shew themselves in battell array, and after some parley they fell to it like furious Lions, and when they had felt the angry bullets on both sides, they rested for the space of two [Page 4]or three houres, and then fell on againe with as much fury as they did at first, which skirmish continued a long time, the victory being very doubtfull on both sides etch striving for the day, which af­ter, which after some continuance, it pleased God to give the Parliaments partie the day, and the Cavaleers fled, so many as possible could get away, but Captance Johnson hath slaine and woun­d [...] [...] great number of them, having not above 7. men of his side wounded.

The greatest part of the adjacent Coun­tries neere the Ile of Wight stand for the Parliament, and hath taken an Oath and protestation among themselves to main­taine Gods true Religion, His Majesties Honour, the priviledges of Parliament, and the Lawes and Liberties of the Sub­ject, which Protestation was cheerefully taken amongst divers poore Countrey fellowes.

It was also credibly reported to the [Page 5]Honorable Assembly, that the State of the Ile of Wight was very weake, by rea­son that they wanted Ammunition, and divers other things belonging to the said Cattle, and that the walls or the Towne was much out of repaire, Whereupon the House being willing to grant their desires, forthwith resolved that the Earle of Pembroke should goe downe and have the charge of the said Castle committed to his trust, which was accordingly performed, and their Order unto the said Earle for his speedy setting forth.

From Cumberland it is credibly repor­ted that the Cavaleers began to commit many outrages against the inhabitants thereof, and hath taken many Horses and Cattell from them, and taking mary o-other things of great worth from them, and still more and more to usurpe [...]nd [...]e, till it pleased God to [...]ue the inhabitants thereof with courage to withstand them, and having resolved a­mongst [Page 6]themselves to be eased of this great but then which was laid upon them they generally consented in one voice together to raise all the powers they could for the suppressing of these wicked persons, and having so done they marcht against them with a great number of men, and took divers of them prisoners and are now fully resolved to kill and slay all those that shall oppose them.

The Earle of Cumberland, Generall of His Majesties Army doth persist in his actions still, and doth endeavour to put the Commission of Array in execution, but the Lords and Commons have de­clared, that the County shall raise all the force they possible can to withstand these persons, that doth raise and endeavour to bring in a Civill warre in this King­dome.