JOYFULL NEVVES FROM THE Prince of Wales, AND A GREAT FIGHT BETWEEN His Highnesses Forces, and the Parliaments, since the late Overthrow, Captai [...]. Batters joyning with his Highnesse with 5000. men, &c.
MY kind love presented to you, &c. I would not have you think that I any way neglected the performance of what promised but the truth is, I had the last week writ to you, but could not tell how to send it, which I was very sory for. The newes now is, [Page 2]the Ships or divers of them have attempted to fetch water by their Boates in the Isle of Thanet, but as yet could not, and have been beaten back again, upon which they have threatned to shoute down Marget, we understand that Captain Batten is come with 6. Sayle of Ships from Holland, and that there cannot be lesse then 5000. men abord the ships, The last Thursday morning the enemy sallied out of Sandown Castle upon our Guard, who not being many retreated some sm [...]ll matter from the house where they kept Guard, so that the enemy possessed themselves of the house a while, and after fired it, after this our forces (being very inconsiderable) drew up and charged them, but the dispute held not long, the enemy ran away and made what hast they could into the Castle, which our horse, there then upon the Guard seeing, pursued them, and wounded most of them, have taken and killed above 20. with the losse of one Trooper, and one Foote, as also 6. or 7. wounded, which we hope will do well, they have been verie quiet ever since for ought we see, it is certainly known by a Drummer that came out of the Castle that day, that the man that fired the house then, and he that fired the new house of Sir Math: Mennis a fortnight since, were both killed this time, and it is further reported by a woman that was in a house near the place where they fought, that some of the enemy as they ran away said one to another, who would have thought the rogues would have fought so, after which skirmish the Ships landed about 300. men, and with them 3. Colours, who kept a while by the Sea side, and after took their Boats, and went aboard again, The last Saturday there came about 20. out of the Castle, but when there was a party dr [...]wn to fight, they retreated and ran all into the Castle; this day being Monday, we had intelligence by two men that came out of the Ships last night, there [Page 3]was near 600. landed, most Seamen, and did intend to fall on the leagure about 12. a Clock, which they did accordingly, but came short off, there was near 700. of the enemy engaged and came to Deale Towns end, and had a hot dispute, near 400. slain, wounded, and taken prisoners; whereof Sir John Boys is one who is shot as most of them are, I do believe that you will hear more fully suddainly from Col. Rich.
Upon Friday morning last, being the 18. of this instant, about 5. a Clock in the morning, the enemy made another sally, which allarmed our men, their number consisted of 400. 200. being Seamen, who had 4. Colours which they brought from aboard the Princes Ship, with this Motto, For Religion, King, and Kingdom, and making their approach near our Guards, our Musketiers fired, they answered them ag [...]in; but the enemy coming on so fast, and such fury, our men were forced to quit two Guards, the Princes forces set fire on them, and pursued our men; whereupon, the horse having received this Allarm, immediately mounted, and advanced towards the said forces; the enemies foot attended their motion, and prepared to receive them, who upon the end of each Pike, had a Ball of Wild-fire fastned thereunto, each Pikeman having his match lighted, ready to fire, and upon the advance of our hors to charge them, they displayed their Balls of Wild-fire, which much amazed our men; insomuch, that they were put to a very disorderly retreat, the enemy pursuing not, our horse rallied, but before they could gain their lost ground, to make good their Charge, they were retreated into the Castle; they pursued within a quarter of a mile of the Castle. In this action we lost 9. men, & some wounded, the Enemies number is not known. We have lately received advertisements from the Downs, that a great accident hath befallen his Highnesse the P. of Wales, by Gunpowder, and endangered the losse of both his eyes, but (praised be God) there is great hopes of his recovery.
MY kind love salute you &c. I have received your letter, for the which I give you many thanks, Sir Michael Liuesey thanks you for your care in the delivery of his letters. Now for Intelligence, I wish I had more to furnish you with, then now I have, but I desire you to take notice, that here hath been a wicked D [...]sign and Pl [...]t discovered of some that should have betrayed this Town t [...] the enemy, viz. That they should rise one night about [...]. of the Clock, whether the time be past or yet to come, it is not known, (but I hope they are dismissed of their intentions) with Shovells, Spades, Mattocks Felling-Axes, Spits, Pitchforks, and such other hellish Instruments, to have cut off some of the Guards, and to have let an enemy in, and for to have seized on the Town for the King, (as said) all which one William Clark a Mason of this Town, related to one who he supposed to be his Friend, by whose meanes it came to light, and Clark is imprisoned about it, I doubt not but God in his due time will bring it further to light, and frustrate the intentions & plottings of such as would destry his people, The reason I have not other newes to furnish you with is, for that Sir Michael Liuesey hath been from Sandwich from Monday to Saturday last week, The Revolted Ships are yet in the Downs, and stay all Vessells that come near, The Castles hold out still, but its confidently reported, Deale Castle will be suddainly surrendred, for it is said, there are many sick in it, and the Granadoes make work amongst them, the surrendring of which, as also of the other, is much wished.
The last News from the two Armies of England and Scotland, communicating the near engagement of both Armies, and the Resolution and proceedings of the Scots.
To their honoured friends the Committee of the County of Lanc [...]ster, now at Manchester, these.
IN ours to Sir Richard Hoghton we gave you a short Character of the Scots Army now quartered all along the borders of our County, both on the Lancashire and Westmerland fide, Truly what we said of them yesterday was but the expressing their Delineaments of Hercules by the foot; We spare to spake the worst of them, least we should forfeit that cresence you have towards us, and not be beleived; but assure your selves, they by their daily incursions into our poor Country, between this and their quarters have left nothing in all the World that is portable.
In divers places some whole families have not left them wherewith to subsist a day, but are glad [...]o come hether fo [...] meer subsistance, they have taken forth of di [...]ers fami [...]i [...] all, the very rackencrocks and pothooks; they have d [...]ven away all the Beasts, Sheep and Horses in divers Townships, all without redem [...]tion save some poore milch-kine: They tell the people th [...]y must have their houses too, and we verily beleive it must be so, because Duke Hamilton hath told them it should be so, Their [Page]usage of some women is extreamly abominable, and of men very barberous, wherein we apprehend, neverthelesse somthing of Gods Justice towards very many, who have abundantly desired and rejoyced at their advance hither: Old extream Cavaliers, whom they have most oppressed in their acts of violence and plunder to our great admiration.
They raile without measure against our Ministers, and threaten the destruction of so many as they can get; many Cavaliers have sent into Furness, and Cartmel to Sir Thomas Tilsley for Protections, but the Scots weigh not their pro [...]ections a rush, and Tilsley himself tells the Cavaliers he can do them no good, but wishes them to use their best shifts in putting their goods out of the way; they say they'le not leave the County worth any thing: they make no account of Lambert, they say he is run away: They are yet in quarters at Burton, Kirby, Whittington, &c. and the English at Encross and Furness; they have driven away above 600 Cattel, and above 1500 sheep they have given such earnest of their conditions that the Countrie have wholly driven away their cattel of all sorts towards Yorkshire, and the bottom of Lancashire; forty great droves at least are gone from us, and through this Towne this day. But we hope this sad distraction will shortly cleer up by the timely conjunction of our forces, and by the cheerfull rising of our Countrie; whereof we are assured they never stood in half so much need, for all the sufferings they have endured. We pray you let us know the businesse of the North and we shall give you an account of what we daily learn, concerning the enemies motion or design, wherein we shall desire to be,
- Hen. Porter.
- W. West