THE convenience of this Messenger invites me to alter my resolution, which was to have silenced my penne, untill it could have reported some Newes, which you and my other Friends could have took content in: But fearing least you should be too much deiected by our Enemyes vau­pouring of a great Victory obtained against our Stafford shi [...] forces forever [Page 4] allwayes represent their good successes in a multiplying glasse, and their bad ones in the wrong end of the perspec­tive.) I will faithfully, though accor­ding to the Posts haste, give you a Re­lation of the Afflictions God was plea­sed to lay upon us at Burton. The Queens Army comming to Ashby, presently made it their Care to free the Inhabi­tants of Burton (who are generally wall affected to the Parliament from the op­pression of the Protestants their friends: and therefore sent 27 Colours of Foote, and about as Colours of Horse, to doe Execution (according to the knowne Lawes of the Land) upon the Parlia­ment Forces residing there: They fa­ced it upon Thursday last, first with their Horse by breake of day in the Morning who were forced to Retreat, afterward about 5. and 6▪ of the Clocke they retur­ned with the Foore presently the Ser­vice began to grow very hot, the Town having b [...]ne twice Summoned by a [Page 5] Trumpet to yeeld, but bravely resolved to fight it out, which they did still it was neere [...]in a Clock [...] at Night, with the losse onely of a d [...] Men, and slew as I am credibly informed by thoe who werein the fight divers hundreds of the Enemy: Our Souldiers Musquets grew so hot, that very many of them flew in pieces; very many more had their hands blistred, merly with the heat of Pieces.

The Enemy was resolved to have the Town, though it cost them never so deare, and therfore exposed their men (according to their valew[?]) like Beasts to the slaughter, which our Souldiers soone perceiving, used their advantage freely; till at last being wearyed with killing, tired with the whole dayes ser­vice, and oppressed by an overdaring Multitude of the Enemy, they were driven from their Guards, and then soon left the Town.

Braue Colonell Houghton, his Lieu­tenant [Page 2] Colonell [...]ders, Captaine Wat­ [...], and diuers other Commanders, whom I am not acquainted with, all men neuer enough to be honoured, after Quarter demanded and granted, after all very grieuously wounded, and we cannot yet learn who are dead, and who liuing of them.

Our Foot Souldiers after Quarter promised, they put up in the Tower of the Church, where the Bells hanged, and then blew up the Tower with Gunpowder: but through Gods infi­nite mercy to the admiration of all men, they were all preserued from death, ex­cept 10 or 12. though many wounded; the uiolence of the blow opened the Church doores, and none durst come neare: most of them escaped.

The Townsmen escaped not much better; for they wounded many, killed many and spoyled all: and when they had left the Town not worth [...] pence, [Page 3] they set it on fire▪ Thus the Scripture is fullfilled, The mercies of the wicked are cruelty. See what the whole Kindome is to expect from the Moores, Wal­loons, French, Spanish and Irish, who are called into the Land to be Assertours of the protestant Religion, the known Laws of the Land, the iust Priviledges of Parliament and the Li­berty of the Subiect.

We had about 100. Souldiers▪ one iron Piece one Case of [...] and one small Drake in Burton. Many of the Foot Souldies escaped, but [...] of the Commandes; and most of the Towns­men of any quality were carryed [...]way prisoners.

We expect that Army euery houre at Stafford, and prepare for their entertainment. Ever since my departure from London, I have been perpetually upon service, for these [...] ▪ or 7 dayes hunting the Cavaliers of this County, and those of the Lord Capells Army, which lyes [Page 8] upon this county now from place to place. We heare that the Lord Capells Forces, Collonell Sands, and Collonell Chudleys, are all to meet the Queens this day, or to morrow, and when they have played their Rex in these parts, are all to march up to the King to Oxford. If the Armyes in the West move by the same Compasse, the businesse at Oxford will prove difficult except the Question be stated before their commi [...] ▪ As oft as God shall please to grant opportuni­ties you shall heare how things stand where I am.

If you are known to Mr. Speaker, present my humble service to [...], and relate this unto him, which I would haue done my selfe, could the Messen­gers time haue giuen me leave.