AFter the Lord Fairfax his Excellency had retired from Tadcaster, the Lord of New-castle possessed himselfe of Pontefract, so making himselfe Master of our Westerne parts, block't up all passages be­tweene us and our strength, and then manifested his resolutions to sesse the whole County, but to exact extraordinary summes of those who had subscribed the Parliaments Propositions. We could expect nothing now, but that those Townes should first suffer, who had bin most forward to assist the Parliament: Leeds, Bradford and Halifax were principally aimed at. In Leeds the malignant humour being predominant, easily converted the Towne into their temper. Bradford was the next place in their way, the Towne most unable to resist them; and indeed who ever considers their dangers, weaknesse and dis­couragements, must judge their attempt as worthy admiration as their successe. The maine body of the Popish Army was within a dayes march of Bradford, some amongst them grievously exasperated by a dishonourable repulse from this Towne not long be­fore. So farre were we from expecting help from the Lord Fairfax, as we thought it scarce possible to seeke it: Our malignant spirits before charmed, now appeared, brea­thing forth nothing but threatnings against those who had bin most active for the Par­liament: and their apparition was so terrible, as it affrighted many of the best affected persons out of the Towne; and thereupon, out goes our Royalists to bring in the Kings Catholick Army. Some religious persons in the Parish, considering what danger might result both to their consciences and Country from such cowardize and treachery (in­stigated by feare of perjury, if they should contribute any assistance against the Parlia­ment, and care of their lives and Estates, evidently endangered by a bare refusall with­out resistance) resolved to stand upon then guard, invited all the well affected in the Parish to assist them, and entred the Towne. When our Malignants were returned with a Letter from Sir William Savile, wherein he manifested an intention to burne and plunder, if we did not contribute to the maintenance of the Popish Army. To which no other answer was return'd, then the apprehension of those who brought it, and had subscribed it; All couragious attempts, yea desperate in the account of many, who saw neither wisedome nor strength sufficient to manage them; There wanted both the head, body and sinewes of warre, we had never a Gentleman in the Parish to command us, nor would any stranger be perswaded to undertake the charge. All our trained Souldiers with their Armes, were with the Lord Fairfax, and the most of those who were fitted for service as voluntiers. Nor could it be expected, that the well affected [Page 2]of our poore Parish, could pay a Garrison any long time, and none would carry one day without pay. Our neighbours perceived this, and therefore judging our attempt des­perate (as in the eye of reason it was) and fearing the issue would be our ruine, re­fused to helpe us, least they should perish with us. Nor wanted we discouragements from our own men, to instance in no more; the very night before the Enemy assaulted us, the greatest part of them left us. This was on Saturday, Decemb: 17. The next morning about 9 of the Clock the Enemy was discovered, approaching the East end of the Towne: They were marshald in two Bodies, the Van was commanded by Col­lonel Evers (eldest Sonne to the Lord Evers) wherein were 3 Troopes of Horse, 2 Companies of Dragooners, 100 Foot, 20 Pyoni [...]rs, 2 Drakes, the traine of Artil­lery, commanded by Major Carew a Dutch man. The Re [...]e was commanded by Sir Francis Howard, wherein were his own and Captaine Hiliards Troops, 6 Companies of Collonel Eddringtons Dragooners, and a 100 Foote. Collonel Goring came along with them, and some say the Earle of Newport; but whether they had any charge or no in this expedition I heare not. All these our York-shiere Gentlemen had procured of the Lord of New castle, as though Sir William Savils Regiment, Sir Marmaduke Lang­dale, Sir Thomas Gleman and Sir Iohn Gothericks Troopes, Sir Ingram Hopton, Captain Nevill, Captaine Batt. Captaine Bins Companies had not bin sufficient to have swal­lowed our despicable Towne: I should now shew how our men were marshald, but 'tis a hard matter to marshall those who had neither Commanders, Collours, nor di­stinct Companies. The night before, we had borrowed a Commander of Hallifax, wee had neere upon 40 Musquets and Calievers, in Towne about 30 Fowling, Birding and smaller Peeces, and well nigh twice as many Club men. These our Captaine disposed in severall parts of the Towne, 10 or 12 of your best marks men upon the Steeple, and some in the Church; Who being next the Enemy, awaited not their warning peece, but at the first fight gave fire upon them bravely. The Enemy who expected a surrender, rather then resistance, being herewith something daunted; and perceiving how advan­tagious the Steeple was to us, presently possest themselves of some Houses not farre from the Church, very convenient for the shelter of their men, and planting of their Ordnance, and from thence sent out Sir Iohn Gothericks Troope, who partly to divert us from hindring them planting their Canon, and partly to hinder the Parish from comming in to our aid, past through some Parish villages on the one side of the Towne, robbed a Woman, most cowardly slew two naked Men, and so came within fight of our Sentinell at the West end of the Towne, Our Musquetiers there discharged at them, shot 2 or 3 Horses, whereof one of them lightly wounded was brought into Towne; and in a short space (partly by our shot, partly by the approach of some Club-men from Bingley) they were forced to retire back to their strength. In the meane time their Canons were planted in places most convenient for battering the Steeple, (which did most annoy them) and scowring of Kirkgate, downe which, our men must upon ne­cessity march to resist them; This done, Major Carew draws down some Foot, and therewith takes two Houses within 30 yards of the Church, and this he did without any other impeachment then from the Steeple; Wee having not any strength to sally out upon them, from these Houses they plaid upon the Church very hotly, and the Church upon them: Our Steeple had a notable advantage of them, which our Mus­quitiers there especially improved against them, for when any Buffe or skarlet Coat ap­peared, they laid 2 or 3 of their Peeces in one hole, and discharged at once upon them with good successe, and thereby deterred the rest from relieving their men in the Houses, [Page 1] [...] [Page 2] [...] [Page 3]and thus they continued till high-noone, about which time there came to our aid from Hallifax some Fire-men and many Clubbs, such of these as came to fight, were forth­with drawne downe to service, some of them were placed in the Church, others in Lanes neare the fore-said Houses; The Church and Lanes kept the Houses in play, and the Steeple hindred the Enemy from relieving the Houses. But this was not the way to repell the Enemy. The largenesse of the Church windowes, and smalnesse of the Houses, made their assault secure, and our defence dangerous, which our men perceiving, resolved to win or lose all at once; watching an opportunity betwixt the discharge and charge of the Enemy, they sallyed out of the Church, and being seconded by those in the Lanes, rushed in upon the Houses, burst open the doores, slew those that resisted, tooke those who yeelded; the rest fled into the next Field, whither some few of ours followed, (the greatest part being employed in conveying the Men and Munition which the Enemy had left behind them) and in the Field the skirmish was hotter then ever; Our men were too eager to keepe Ranke or File, though they had knowne how to keepe it, and indeed their disorder was an advantage to us, for mixing themselves with the Enemy, they fought securely in the mouth of the Enemies Canon, and in the eye of one Body of their Forces, both placed in the Field above them; the Enemy not daring to discharge, least with them they should slay their own Men, (otherwise, they having 10 Fire-men for one, might have cut us off in an instant) nor could ours use their Muskets otherwise then as Clubbs. To speake ingeniously, their Commanders exasperated by the cowardize of their common Souldiers, manifested great courage, but they smarted for it; our Sythes and Clubbs now and then reaching them, and none else did they aime at: One amongst the rest in a Scarlet Coate, our Club-men had got hold of (and he in all probability, as some credible reports give us occasion to beleeve, was Collonel Goring) and were spoiling him. Their Horse fearing the losse of such a Man, became more couragious then they intended, leaped over the hedge, and rode full upon our Men, forcing them to give a little ground; too Much (alas that they had known him) to lose such a Man, but they quickly recovered the ground 'tho they lost the Man; doubled their courage, would neither give nor take quarter; (nor was this their cruelty, as the Enemy complaines, but their ignorance) and in the end forced both Man and Horse to leave the Field; and yet could not we keepe it, for we being separated from theirs, the Musketiers had liberty to play upon us; and indeed they rained such a shower of lead amongst our men, as forced them to retreat for shelter to the next hedge, and so hindred them from pursuing, till they had removed their Canons. Their Ordnance all this time played upon us, one of them ranged an 8 pound Bullet; yet see the Lords mercy to us: that which was planted against the Steeple never hit it; another intended for the skouring of Kirhgate, 'tho planted in as advantagious a place as they desired, 'tho the Street was continually crowded with people; yea, though many of their Bullets hit the Houses, and some the Street, yet was no body at all hurt there­with; they bored indeed 3 or 4 Houses, yet (which is observable) did most harme to a Malignants; and thus the terror of the Lord, and of us falling upon them, sending their Foot and Artilery formost, away they went. (using their feet better then they used their hands) and about 50 of our Clubbs and Muskets after them; Which cou­rage in ours, did most of all astonish the Enemy; who say, no 50 Men in the world, except they were madd or drunke, would have pursued a Thousand: Our men indeed, shot as they were madd, and the Enemy fell as they were drunke, and so we will devide it. Some discharged 10 some 12 times in the pursuit; and having the whole Body [Page 4]of the Enemy for their butt, it may easily be imagined what good execution they did in a miles march (for so farre they pursued them) even to the Moore, where fearing to be environed by their Horse, they retired, some of them so wearied with this 8 houres hot service, as they could scarce returne to the Towne, One thing I cannot omit, a hearty Round-head left by his comrades, environed with the Enemies Horse, dischar­ged his Musket upon one, strooke downe anothers Horse with the thick end of it, broke a thirds Sword, beating it backe to his throat, and put them all to flight; which (though as the rest wonderfull) I dare pawne my credit to be true. And thus ended our skirmish; wherein there was

Slaine of theirs, Sir Iohn Harper, (as one Savile taken at Halifax confesseth,) Captaine Wray (in whose pocket was found good store of gold, and a Commission directed to Major Williams, which made us thinke him to be the Man) and Captaine Bins (whom they carried to Leeds scarce dead, and buried two daies after) and many common Souldiers, more I am perswaded then we shall ever know of, Of ours, I can­not heare of two that perished by the Enemy in the fight.

Sir Iohn Gothericke got a bastinado, had his Horse killed with a Syth, and about a 100 common Souldiers were wounded, as we are informed from Leeds where they are Billeted: Of ours, about 12. all curable except one or two.

Taken of theirs, Serjant Major Carew, (a Man of great account, borne in the Low-Countries of English Parents) 26 Common Souldiers, about 10 Horses, 180 weight of Pouder, and about 40 Muskets; and thus God supplied our wants out of the store, giving us as many more Muskets as we had, and well-nigh as much Pouder as we spent.

This was the issue of the fight, wherein nothing can be seene but God, and the won­derfull effects of his glorious Attributes: Let us and our Enemies both see it, that they may feare and shame, that we may trust and praise our God, who hath manifested him­selfe to be the Lord of Hosts.

SIR Thomas Fairfax, son to the Lord Generall Fairfax, marched from Bradford (six miles distant from Leeds) on Munday morning with 6. Troopes of Horse, and 3. Companies of Dragoones under the command of Sir Henry Fowles Knight, his Lieutenant Generall of the horse, and neare a 1000 musketeers, with 2000. Club-men, under the command of Sir William Fairfax Colonell, and Lieutenant Generall of the Foot. One company of these being Dragoones under Capt. Mildmay, and about 30 musketiers and 1000 club-men, marched on the South-side of the River of Ayr to Hunslet-more a­bove halfe a mile from Leeds, on the South-east side towards Wakefield: and the rest on the North-side Ayr by Aperley-bridge (20. yards of Christall-bridge being broke downe by the enemy) to Wood house-more. On the west-side Leeds about a mile thence; where they commending the cause to God by prayer, Sir Thomas dispeeded a Trumpeter to Sir William Savile, who commanded in chiefe in Leeds, requiring in writing that Towne to be delivered him for the King and Parliament; which Sir William disdainfully an­swered and said, he used not to give answer to such frivolous tickets, being confident (it seems) that with the strength he had he could keepe the Towne, wherein were about 2000. men. viz. 1500. foot, and 5. Troops of Horse and Dragoons and two Demicul­verins.

Sir Thomas approached nearer the South-west-side of the Towne with his Forts that came on the North-side ayre, and coming within view of the Towne with banners dis­played (about 36. Colours) sent another Trumpetter to Sir William, who shortly after by a Trumpetter assured him he should get nothing but by fight, whereupon he drew out of his companies 5. Colours of his expertest Souldiers, and appointed them to march downe with Serjeant Major Forbes, Captaines Briggs, Lee, Francke and Palmer, with his Dragoones on foot, towards the water along the trenches, drawn two yards breadth and height from M. Harrisons new Church along the South-side of the Towne to the wa­ter, an inner trench being devided and drawne on the in-side that long trench neare the water-side, compassed about the declivity of the Hill a little above the water. Neare to and above which about a 100 musketiers were drawn out of the Towne, and about 2 of the clock in the after-noone, gave fire from the in-side of the works upon Sir Thomas his musketiers, who approaching nearer shrowded themselves under a hill at the South head of the great fields before the great long Trench, and let fly at the said Centry with no losse at all to either side, they within the Trenches shooting too high, and the other at [Page 6]the Trenches; meane while Sir W^m. Fairfax, Sir Tho Norcliffe, and other Captains lea­ding their Companies to the West-side of the new Church, and the Troopes of Horse at­tending the enemies out-roads in the lanes and fields on the west, and north parts; and the forts of the south-side ayre, approaching the Bridge, forced the Guarders to quit the works at the first centry, placed on the out-side the Houses towards Beiston, brake through the works, and shot at the other strong centry at the Bridge end, where the Forts discharged upon them without any losse to either side, but seeing the very neare approach of the Dragoons, Musketiers and many Club men and fearing the speedy for­cing that place they instantly fetcht to the bridge the Demiculverin. And after about an hours time spent in vain shooting between the Forts within and without the works on the south side of the Town, as aforesaid. Serjeant Major Forbes most bravely leading on his companies in the plain fields before the great Trenches, his Lieutenant Horsfall of Halyfax, Captaines Lee, Brigg and Francke contended which should next follow, and Captain Chadwicks Lancashiere souldiers accompanied: Th'enemy shot most vehement­ly from the Trenches, yet kil'd none.

It vvas perceived by the Forts on the South-side Ayre, that if they could get some mus­ketiers over the fields to the water side without danger by the Cannon, and musket from the bridge, they could force the great Centries from their vvorks on the other side the river (in regard they had made no other defence against the south-side vvater) and so o­pen an easie passage to Ser-Major Forbs & his forces; vvherupon by single persons they got to the vvater-side, and hid them in a little lane (Iames Nayler one of the Dragooners be­ing first) vvhither they had no sooner got, then the Demiculverin from the bridge plaid neare them, and about 4. muskets from that little lane, and 2. from under a stump of a tree, a little above by the vvater-side, discharged amongst the Centry, and one man be­ing there slain, the rest perceived their errour, and in conclusion fled apace out of the low­er Centry, vvhich being espied by those on the south-side ayre (Serjeant Major Forbes and his company not discerning them, for the height of their vvorks hindred) a great shout from those on the south-side of the vvater, discovered it to the Serjeant Major, who with his forces comming downe towards the vvater-side vvas holpen by Lieutenant Horsfall, vvho lending him his shoulder to climbe the top of the vvorks, be most furvious­ly and boldly entred the works single, him his said Lieutenant (vvading through the river-side below the vvorke) next followed most resolutely, them the rest followed, and M. Ionathan Scholefield (the Minister at Croston chappell in Halifax Parish neare To [...]merdeu) in their Company begun, and they sung the 1 verse of the 68 Psalm, Let G [...]darife, and then his enemies shall be scattered, and those that [...] him flee before him. And instantly after the great shout on the south-side river, still informing of the ene­mies flight from the upper and next Centry (vvhere about a 100 vvere) Serjeant Ma­jor entred that also, and M. Scholefield begun, and they sung another like verse. So these vvorks being gained, the enemy fled into the Houses, and shot again furiously at those vvho had entred their vvorks, vvho pursuing their victory, vvent up along the in-side the vvorks to the third centry at the lane neare M. Metcalses house, vvhere fierce shot be­ing made from a new house and all about, two men of Serjeant Major Forbes company vvere shot dead, here Captain Lee entring that centry from the lane, leading from Chry­stall-bridge, vvas shot in the leg above the ankle, some bones being broken and took out, he is likely shortly to recover. The victory they pursued, though vvith great diffi­culty; Captain Briggs drawing towards the old-church, vvas from an House shot un­der the chin neare the throat, and in the arme, though not mortally, as is hoped. The [Page 7]Enemy flying along a street or lane, from the 2. centries neare the vvater into the heart of the Towne, vvhere the other Demiculverin lay to guard that passage, Sir William met them, and enquiring the cause of their flight, vvas answered that their vvorkes vvere entred, he called on them, go beat them out, promising to lead them, yet they deny­ed: vvhich he seeing, and that 12. musketiers, drawne on both sides that lane by Mr. Scholefield had gained that Cannon by killing the Cannoneere (though vvith losse of a gray cotes, the one vvherof being shot, did fight beyond the strength of a man) he and the rest, perceiving the Towne lost, about an houre after the first centry vvas ente­red) fled away, thinking to get over the bridge towards Wakefield, and some of them (upon occasion of the club-mens beating backe from that centry by shot from any house neare the bridge end) got, to the number of 40, by the south-side vvater, downe to­ward Hunslet, but vvere many of them taken, amongst vvhom Captain Thirlwell Sir William seeing that vvay blockt, vvith many others fled amain back to the old-Church, by the south-side vvhereof by fine force they made way through clubs and fouling peeces along the north-side ayre towards Pomfret. Sir William being neare drowning in the passages. Many Antients, Drums and foot taken, and some slain here, viz. Captain Widrington, Maud of Wake-field, Hunsworth of Leeds, and others, captain Errington vvas drowned, so vvere M. Robinson vicar of Leeds and others, viz M. Calvery of Calvery, and M. Iackson of Leeds; and 460. common souldiers taken, vvith about 14. barrels of Gun-pouder, great store of match, 2 cannons and many muskets. So the Towne being taken about 4 a clook, notice hereof came to Wakefield about 6, the Garrison there about 12 quitted that place, and the Malignants thereof, M Nevile, Paulden, Reyser and the rest conveyed vvhat goods they could to Pomfret, vvhence also the next night they fled a­way with 30. carriages, and all except about 200. vvho keepe the castle; and captains Birkehead and Wilson vvith about 200 muskets and neare 1400. club-men from about Almurbury, and 3 Troops from Leeds, entred vacant Wakefield the same Tuesday, and that night, and captaine Radcliffe, and neare as many musketiers and club-men on the next day from Quick, &c

As the musketiers and club men retreated from the vvater-side after the first a centries vvere vvon, the cannon from the bridge played amongst them, and as they vvent on in the lane, leading to Beiston, it beat downe the barrs of a tenter vvhich flew amongst them; and the next shot from it crusht the top of an house, yet did no more harme; These of Halifax Parish, viz. one Michael Woodhead was shot upon his tin-buttons, and his dublet burst neare his heart, and the bruised bullet fell downe into his breeches and no more hurt; Iohn Milnes man, had his coat, dublet, and 2 shirts shot through to his coller bone on his back, whence the bullet rebounded and no hurt, but a little rotting of the flesh since; one Lilly, M. Tho. Listers man, had a bullet shot into the hilt of his sword, wherby the hilt was drawn out almost as small as wyre where the bullet light and no hurt.

About 20 slain, 10. of Sir Tho: Fairfax part, wherof Sir Tho Norcliffe lost 2 men, as they entred Leeds neare new-church: The works cost about 500 lb The 460. priso­ners are all discharged (save about 20) upon oath taken never to serve against King and Parliament; and Leeds and Wakefield strongly guarded.