¶Truths from Leicester and Notingham AVGVST I. Anno Dom. 1642.
I Doe hereby give you some short notion how things stand in these Northerne parts. I met His Majesty at Notingham this day seaven night (where His Majesty was) to make Observation. The Major was expected to have been Committed, for refusing to goe to Yorke to His Majesty, being twice sent for, not publishing Proclamations sent to him and other things. The King accepted his Mace, and delivered it to him againe, but gave him no hand to kisse. The Town presented the Prince with a Purse, and 50. pieces. From thence I went to Leicester with the Court on Friday, where the King was earnestly put upon it, to have by force of Blowing up, or Battering down the Magazine House recovered it: for which end 3. great Ordnance was brought to the Towne: but upon a Petition from the Grand Jury to the King, that the Powder, Match, and Bullets therein might be distributed to every Town in the Country; It was approved of by the King. He disclaiming to have interest in it, for it was the Countries, which I saw done accordingly; the Keepers of it being allowed to goe free to their Houses, who was resolved to have lost their lives there, if they had not agreed upon these termes. I was in the Magazine every day, which was a place of that strength, that those 40. Men that were in it (all Round-heads, as they call them) would have kept out 500.
On Friday night Captaine Bastwicke, Captaine Ludlow, and a Lievtenant, were brought in, being by force of 9. Cavaliers (whereof Sir Henry Hungate a Courtier, was chiefe) compelled thereunto without any Authority shewed them, being all Armed with 2. or 3. Pistolls a piece. Captaine Bastwicke only of them 3. having a little Pistoll. The next day it was expected an Inditement would have been preferred against them all 3. for which I and another Friend that morning did consult with them about their Answere thereto, which was a Protestation against the proceedings there, and an Appeale to the Parliament, there to be tryed: but I thought the Judge durst not try them at all, and so the conclusion is. The King hath taken them with him Prisoners to Yorke; Captaine Bastwicke is wondrous couragious, and so are the rest. I was dayly with them. Captaine Ludlow is (Sonne to a Knight in Parliament) a stout man with whom the King is much displeased.
The Lord Ruthen and Sir Arthur Haslerigge (who are Knights of Leicestershire, and Deputy Lievtenants, did Traine a good part of the Trained Bands, two dayes last weeke; and hearing the King was coming with a great Force to bring in Hastings to the Assises, the High Sheriffe that he had lately made, they departed towards London for avoyding blood-shedding, which would have followed (as was conceiv'd) had they stayed; their Traine men being resolved to have stood to them, with the losse of their Lives. The King came in with about 200. Light Horse, which Guarded Him; and there came 5. or 600. other Horse, of all sorts, Gentlemen, Yeomen, and meaner sorted. The Gentry of the County are most of them for the King only, and were very active with Him. His Majestie did on Tuesday morning last returne from Leicester to Beverley, 5. miles from Hull, where he was yesterday to meet the Parliaments Answere to His Propositions sent by the Lord of Holland, which if he did not like, it is thought he will presently set upon Hull, and so march to London, &c. Hull is very strong, and feares no opposition; yet the Cavaliers give out it wilbe fired in 4. dayes space. I beleeve it not. The Bishop of Yorke rides about with His Majesty. The Women of Leicester Petitioned the King against Hastings, the Copy whereof followeth:
To the Kings most Excellent Majestie.
THat whereas your Petitioners, the Wives, and others of their Sex, Inhabitants within this Towne of Leicester, have of late beene exposed to great feares by the turbulent carriages of Master Hastings (whom your Majesty hath lately made High Sheriffe) in assaulting our said Towne in the dead time of the night with Troopes of Horse and armed men, by reason of which sudden affrightments, many of the Wives then with childe, (there and about us) have since miscarried, and others thereby so wonderfully amazed and dejected, that at this day they continue under great weaknesse, this we are able to make good.
In consideration whereof, And that because the like, or greater causes of terror and perplexity may be againe administred by the said Master Hastings or his agents (wherewith our weake Natures become too soone affected) wee are all of us from hence emboldned to become humble suitors. That out of the deepth of your Princely wisedome such course may be taken, as that wee may be secured from these our after feares, that so the like aforesaid wofull effects may be prevented. And as wee have, and ever shall expresse those dutifull and loyall affections which are requireable from our condition; so doe we daily pray for the wisedome of Gods holy Spirit to be powred upon your sacred Heart, whereby all your Actions may render us hope that we shall still enjoy our Husbands, Children, and Friends, in godlines and peace under your Majesties Raigne, which the Lord long continue.
This Petition was presented to his Majesty the 24. of July at his being at Leicester, by many women of the best rancke there.