A GREAT FIGHT AT chepstow Castle in the West of England, betwixt the Forces under the command of Lieutenant Gen. Cromwell, and the Cavaliers commanded by Sir William Kelmish, Governour of the said Castle, and the number slaine on both sides.
Also an exact Relation of the late Skirmish at White-Hall upon Tuesday last, May 16. between the Parliaments Forces, and the Inhabitants of Surrey, with the manner of their beginning, and occasion thereof.
Together with a List of the number that were slain and taken prisoners on both sides.
Likewise, a great Rout in Northumberland, and the full particulars thereof.
⟨MAY 18th.⟩ London, Printed for R. VVilliamson. MDCXLVIII.
An exact RELATION OF The late Fight at Chepstow Castle, betwixr the Force under the command of Lieutenant General Cromwel, and the Cavaleers commanded by Sir William Kemish.
OUr Forces are advanced as far as Chepstow, and Orders and Instructions are given out by the Lieut. Gen. to the Party designed for the blocking up of the Castle, and the reducing of it to the obedience and subjection of Parliament. Our quarters are appointed, and we have cut off severall passages for the hindering of provisions from going to the Castle. We draw neerer and neerer to the Wals, and receive many volleyes of shot from them, and they from us. But at our first comming hither, the Lieutenant Generall sent in a summons to sir William Kemish, Governour of the [Page] said Castle, for the surrender thereof upon fair tearms, but he most insolently refused the same, and hung forth his flag of defiance, who in stead of treating for surrendring in peace, acted a new posture for a second Engagement firing very fast from the Castle walls, but we soon queld their courage, and made them leave shoo [...]ing; for having taken a place of advantage neer the Castle, Order was given, that a considerable party of Musketiers should be placed there, which was accordingly done, who played so violently upon the enemy that they made them pay deer for their peeping, and it is supposed divers were slain and wounded, both by the execution of the shot, and the flying of the stones: We ply them close, and keepe strong Guards, and have not lost above two or three men; but wee are informed, that their losle is far greater. It is supposed they cannot hold out long, and the rather, because the Governour hath sent out for a parley, but now it is too late, Sir, this is all from him, who remains
Letters from the North, declaring the manner of the routing and dispersing Sir Marmad. Langdales Forces in the North, by the Pa [...]liaments Forces belonging to Sir Arthur Hasle. ig, Governour of Newcastle.
THe Cavalry in these parts begin to grow very high both in their langu [...]ge and action, taking their progresse up and down the Northern Counties, and a party of Langdales men came and s [...]ized on the town of Morpeth, with an intent to garrison the same; but by the great vigilancy of our Governour hey were prevented, and their designs f [...]ustrated; for sir Ar [...]h [...]r Hasl [...]rig having notice thereof immediatly sent forth a party of Horse and Foot, but the Enemy having notice of their comming, left the towne, and betook themselves to their heels; but our party pusued them, and took six prisoners, the rest escaped.
We hear that the Scots intend to have a Rand [...]v [...]us vpon the 23 of this instant Ma [...], and th [...]n to m [...]ke choice of a Lord Generall And from We [...] it is certified that the Enemy in those parts is very active; As for other particulars, I refer you to the i [...] sed Paper.
New Propositions from the Kingdom of Scotland.
1. ALthough in the answer of April, 22. Which we received in writing from the Honourable Court of Parli [...]ment wee are remitted to their Lordships Declaration now printed and published the [...]ein to finde satisfaction to our eight desires, presented to the Parliament March 22, and although these desires were such as were most agreeable to the word of God, and do highly concern the safety and security or religion, yet after diligent perusall of the said Deciaration of Parliament, wee cannot find there in any of these our eight desires satisfied.
2. We find twice in the said Declaration a passage cited out of the Declaration of both Kingdoms, viz. That the not takers of the covenant are declared to be publike enemies to Religion and Country, and to be punished as prosessed adversaries and malignants, &c.
As the three breaches of Treaties infisted upon in the said Declaration are disputable, and not without controversie, so the three demands sent to the Parl. of England are of most dangerous consequence to Religion, so far as we are able to judge of them, or pry into them.
And although we are reall well-wishers to his Maj▪ honour, freedome, and safety, in such a way as may not be inconsistent with the safety and security of Religion; yet the demand of his Maj. coming with honour freedome and safety to some of his houses in or neare London before security had from him, yea before application to be made to him by his Parliaments, for setling Religion according to to the Covenant, we conceive to be not only a postponing to the Kings, but an apparent hazard of the subversion of all the Ends of the Covenant; considering, that the Army being disbanded, and his Majesty under no restraint, being restored with honour, freedome, and safety, may gather new strength with the Popish, Prelaticall, and malignant party, for hindering the setling of Religion & peace according to the Covenant, which we have the more reason to apprehend, his Majesty still retaining his old principles and having not long since professed and declared that he is obliged in con [...]cience to improve th [...]t power which God shall put in his hands for the establishing of Episcopacy.
[Page]4 There are in the said Deelaration divers particulars highly concerning Religion determined and resolved upon without the advice and consent of the Generall Assembly, or their Commishoners which is a great prejudice to the just interest and liberties of the Ki [...]k.
5 We do find in the said Declaration all law [...]ull and possible ways of peace and namely by Tr [...]aties which method we conceive to be necessary as well by common and na [...]urall equity, as by the Word of God and especially between two Kingdoms united by Solemne Covenant.
6. The Declaration holds forth no resolution of Parliament for opposing and suppresling of the Popish, Prelaticall, or Malignant party if they rise again in Armes▪ but onely against ass [...]ciating or joyning forces with them, and not so much as that except with limitations in case they be refusers to swear and subscribe the Covenant, and in case the rise in Armes to oppose and obstruct all, or any one of the ends of the Covenant. Whereas it may be easily foreseen, that if the Popish Prelaticall or Malignant party rise again in Armes in England they cannot onely conceale their intentions against the end of the Coyenant, but also be easily exempted from being reckoned refusers of the Covenant, the Covenant not being now imposed upon them; and being once suffered to rise in Armes (as some are already) may grow so strong, as that it will bee very hard and difficult to suppresse them.
7 Whereas wee have insisted for satisfaction to our consclences, concerning the persons to bee entrusted with the managing of the war, and that none may be imployed in Committees and Armies but such as have given constant proof of their integrity and faithfulnesse.
Finally, as we neither were, nor are against an Engagement, if once satisfied in the grounds of undertaking, and manner of proceeding, and the other particulars expressed in our sormer papers; so for the reasons before mentioned and divers others fully exprested in our Representation upon the Declaration, we judge the present Engagement, as it is stated unlawfull: and trust that all the well-affected in the Kingdome, will make conscience of their solemne Vowes.
The particular relation of the skirmishing at Westminster, upon Tuesday last May 16. 1648.
VPon Tuesday last being the 16. of this instant May, divers of the Inhabitants of Surry, and Borough of Southwark, came unto the Parl. & presented a Petition, in the name of the Knights, Gentry and Inhabitants of the County of Surrey. The Petition was received, and thankes, with an answer that the Parl. would take their Petition into consideration with all convenient speed, &c. But divers of the pretended Petitioners grew very insolent, and said they would have an answer presently; threatning the Parl. openly in Westminst. Hall, saying that if they had not a more satisfactory answer then the Essex men, they would fall upon the Parl. and pull them out of the house. Whereupon the souldiers fired at them, & forced them to retreat away; the Horse from the Mewes charged them likewise, forcing some to fly one way, and some another; many of them were wounded, and some slain.
- Slain of the Surrey party.
- Mr. Baxter,with 7. others.
- Wounded.
- Mr. Hudston of Southwarke, and
- Mr. Lock, with about 30 others were wounded.
- About 30 Prisoners taken.
- Some Watermen were accidentally wounded, and two of them slain.
- Of the Parliament souldiers 2 were slaine, none hurt except an Officer of horse who was accidentally wounded by the shot of a pistoll.
This combustion in a short time was quite appeased, & the Gentry of the Country in all this (for the most part) behaved themselves with moderation.
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