AN APOLOGIE AND VINDICATION (From all false and malignant Aspersions) For His EXCELLENCIE, the right Honourable, and most Noble, ROBERT D'EVREUX, Earle of Essex, and Ewe, Viscount Hereford, Baron of Chartley, Lord Bourchier and Louain, Inheritour of all His thrice Noble Fathers Honours and Vertues: NOW LORD GENERALL of all the Forces in Arms in England and Wales, for the present High and Honourable Court of PARLIAMENT, in defence of the true Protestant Religion, Laws and Liberties of the Subject. VVith a true and briefe CHRONOLOGIE of what successefull things have been done, since His EXCELLENCIE entred into Action; and went from London, which was in Aug. 1642. untill this present year, 1644.
LONDON, Printed by Thomas Harper, and are to be sold at his house in Little Britaine, 1644.
An APOLOGIE for His EXCELLENCIE Robert EARLE of Essex, &c. LORD GENERALL of all the Forces now in action for the KING and PARLIAMENT.
I Have hardly read or heard of any great and famous men but they have beene subject to detraction by some malevolent and censorious petulant peoples tongues; no Age being without such Animalls: And as this most Noble and thrice Honourable his Father was, which caused him to pen and publish his precedent Apologie: And even so may we not eft-soones heare the malignant mutterings of some men, uttering and vapouring detracting aspersions and speeches of this most worthy Noble and Heree Robert Earle of Essex, &c. And although his Excellencies severall actions in severall places speake and proclame his Honour, Valour and Apologie; yet because the mouths of many Malignants are subject to calumniate this thrice Noble Generall, I take leave to commemorate his Apologie and Vindication, as followeth:
And first, there is a small Tract entituled A Remonstrance to vindicate his Excellencie Robert Earle of Essex from some false aspersions cast open his proceedings to the 17 of August 1643. published and Printed, yet though I confesse it to be written [Page 2]by some ingenious Pen-man, I doe and will forbeare to transcribe it, because I will not be guilty of the aspersion of ploughing with another mans Heifer: But I will set down, ingenuously the very truth upon mine owne observation gathered as I may say, out of the very bowells of truth? The 12 of July 1642. both the most Honourable Houses of Lords and Commons chose and voted Robert Earie of Essex, &c. Lord Generall of their Army, and that they would live and dye with him. About the midst of August 1642. our generous Generall passed and rode with a gallant company of Lords and Captaines through London, and the same night went to St. Albanes or Dunstable; and not long after his Excellencie passed into Northamptonshire, sent some Troops with Amunition, into Northampton Towne, and into the City of Coventrie; and for a time made his abode and Rendez-vouz in the strong Towne of Northampton daring which time, some of his Excellencies Forces by his directions, namely, two Troops of Horse under the Lord Say's two sons from Banbury, pursued divers Cavaliers as they fled from Oxford towards Worcester, and tooke 8 of them prisoners, which was about the midst of Septem. 1642. Then some of his Excellencies Forces hearing at Coventrie, and knowing the Cavaliers had taken Killingworth Castle within 4 miles of Coventry, and there began to fortifie themselves, set upon them, had a great skirmish, slew many of them, and rescued the Castle from them, which ever since hath been, and is kept and fortified by some of the Coventry souldiets for the King and Parliament, and it is a very considerable place both for the safety of Coventry and Warwicke, it standing in the very midway betwixt the said City and Towne: And about the same time his Excellencie tooke occall on to write a serious letter unto the then Lord Major of London, which is here inserted, to the Readers view as followeth.
A Letter sent from his EXCELLENCY Robert Earle of Essax, to the Lord Major of LONDON.
I Received so great expressions of affections both to the Cause, and to my selfe, from the City of London, at my departure from you, that I cannot dispaire; but to obtaine my saite from you, that shall be an advantage to the Common-wealth; upon a true judgement of the condition of our affaires, and of that of the Enemy; I am confident that we may bring this businesse to a quick and happy conclusion; God doth blesse us with so good successe daily: and the other part by their plundering and burning of Townes and houses, grow so odious that they grow weaker, we stronger every where; yet are we in one great streight, and such one, as if be not speedily remedied, may dash all our hopes, and endanger that peace and liberty which we so much labour for; our treasure, which must maintain our Army, growes near an [Page 4]end, and you well know our Army consists of such as cannot be kept one day together without pay: what a ruine it would bring upon us all if a disbanding should happen, I leave to your judgements: My desire unto you is, That you would supply us with a speedy loane of one hundred thousand pounds, which I am confident would (with Gods blessing) bring these unhappy distractions to an end quickly: Your City hath hitherto had the honour, next to God, to be the chiefest safety of the Kingdome and Parliament, this will render you to all posterity the finishers of this great worke. If any thing of particular love or respect to me may be any argument here in; I shall take it for the greatest honour that hath befalne me and will oblige myselfe to acknowledge it by the utmost and most faithfull endeavour of
THus much, gentle Reader, you have heard issuing from his Excellencies owne Pea; whose actions since that time, have daily spoken and told his valour and wisdome, insomuch that I shall need to say little more thereof, witnesse Keinton Field, Redding, Northampton, Coventry, Warwick, Bedford, Newport, Ouborne, Oulney, and divers other places in Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Glocestershire, Berkshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire: His Excellencie often frequenting the Parliament House to consult in his most serious enterprises; his care of regulating and reducing his Army to good Commanders, Officers and well disciplined Souldiers, though it is a hard taske to a Generall and Commander in chiefe to doe; yet who knoweth not that will be acquainted with the truth, his Excellencie hath frequently done it? and therein he hath taken, as I may say, Indefatigible labour, insomuch that we may verily hope and beleeve that Gods blessing goeth along with his Excellencies Valour and Wisdome: And let us not be unmindfull of giving God the glory and thanks, since August last, for the victorious atchievements we have had at Glocester, at Newbery, and other places: And albeit the sad newes of raising our siege at Newarke did much deject our hearts; yet how soone after did the Lord of Hosts, whose Cause our Parliament Forces have in hand, make our hearts glad with Sir William Waller and Sir William Belfore, their routing the Hoptonian forces, taking of Winchester, and other Townes thereabouts in the West?
Now because it is said, and their Aulicus hath vapoured often of our losse of some noble Commanders; we doe ingeniously confesse we lost the life of the valerous Lord Saint-Iohn at Keinton Field battell; and at Litchfield last yeare, wee lost the life of the thrice noble and religious Lord Brooke, [Page 6]Mr. Hampden, and some others at other places; but no other Nobleman can I call to minde hath lost his life: Contrariwise, on their side, sure we are, the Earle of Lindsey their first Generall, the Earle of Northampton, the old Farle of Denigh, the Earle of Carnarvan, the Earle of Sunderland, Lord Spencer, the Lord Viscount Faulkland, the Lord D'Awbinie, and the Lord Iohn his brother, and the French Marquesse, have all lost their lives in this rebellious quarrell against the Parliament, the great Representative Body of the Kingdome, since this unhappy and unnaturall War.
August 22. After His Majesty came to Stoneley Abbey, within three miles of the City of Coventry, and summoned it by an Herald, and had Propositions from the City, which he would not assent unto, he caused Ordnance to be planted against it: And about the midst of September Prince Rapert commonly called Robert came before Coventry (which was by this time well fortified) and being growne a great Captaine of the Cavaliers, made a shew of besieging the City, and let flie some bullets from their Ordnance, some of which bullets lighting against the strong walls of the said City recoyled back, and other some flying over the walls made some holes in some houses, but did not kill or hurt any penson; and by the valour and wisdome of the Lord Brooke, Colonell Iohn Hampden, (or pious memory) and Colonel Goodman, with the assistance of the Citizens, divers of the Cavaliers were slame, and others taken prisoners and Prince Rupert with the residue of them were sent away with (as we may say) fleas in their ears: Amongst those that then were taken prisoners was one Captaine Iohnson an eminent Cavalier.
Come we now to his Excellencie, he in his owne person being advanced from Northampton into Warwickshire, and quartering at Keinton, hard by an hill called Edge hill, beyond [Page 7] Warwicke Towne, about eight miles, which with the Castle was before secured with a strong garrison; there was a great battell fought betwixt His Majesties Forces and his Excellencie, the true Relation whereof is so excellently penned by a reverend Divine, and an eye witnesse, in an ingenuous Letter sent to the Lord Major of London, that I could doe no lesse then insert the same here as followeth: This memorable battell was fought the 23 of October, 1642.
A Letter sent from a worthy Divine, to the Right Honourable the LORD MAJOR, of the CITY of LONDON. Being a true Relation of the Battell fought between His MAIESTIES Forces, and His Excellencie the Earle of ESSEX. From Warwick Castle the 24 of October 1642. at two a clock in the morning.
YEsterday being the Lords day, his Excellency intending to march from Keinton, a little Village in Warwickshire, towards Banbury to relieve it, unexpectedly an Alarm came about eight a clock in the morning, that the Enemy was advancing [Page 8]within two or three miles, which accordingly proved so; and it pleased God to make my selfe the first Instrument of giving a certaine discovery of it, by the helpe of a prospective Glasse from the top of an hill: when the two Armies were drawne into Battallia, about two of the clocke in the afternoone, a very sore and fierce battell began, which continued about foure houres in mine owne sight and hearing, much bloud was shed, & a gallant spirit expressed by our Infantry, even to such a degree of valiantnesse, as may crowne every common Souldier with the honour of a Commander. But the left wing of our Horse being charged by the Kings right wing, was suddenly put to slight, so that the right wing in which you son was placed, did the best service for the Chevalty or Cavalty: where your sonne is (or any of the rest of my Lords guard) I know not, I hope they are safe, because upon diligent enquiry, I yet hear no hurt of any of them. However, if you have consecrated a sonne to so Noble a Service, I doubt not but you will endeavour to bear it cheerfully, if you should heare that he is either staine or wounded. VVee have lost none of our Commanders (as we can yet understand) except Colonell Charles Essex, and Sir Iames Ramsey, who is other killed or taken: we [Page 9]have taken Prisoners from the Kings side, the Lord of Linsey Generall of the Field, with his son Colonell Vavasor, who was Commander of the Kings Guard and Standard, which likewise we have taken: As also Colonell Lunsford, who are now both at Warwicke Castle, we did beat the Enemy out of the Field, and gained foure peeces of Ordnance. This morning it is expected that three or foure fresh Regiments on our side, as namely Colonell Hampdens, Colonell Granthams, Colonell Barckhams, and the Lord Rochfords Regiments to joyne with the rest. The residue of our Army to fall on the remainder of the Kings Forces, hoping for as glorious successe as before; Colonell Vavasor assures us that the King himselfe for some time was in the Army, we heare no certainty yet concerning Prince Rubert, some say he is slaine. A few of our Waggons were burned and plundered by the Enemy, who wheeled about into our Reere, but our Musqueteers played bravely upon them in the meane time, and recovered our VVaggons againe, and sixe peeces Ordnance which we had lost, our Enemy had the winde more with them, but we had more of the hill, we had but twelve Regiments in the Field, about fifty Troops of Horse (I thinke) at the most, and some two Regiments [Page 10]of Dragoneers. His Excellencie maintained the fight most gallantly. And our Noble Lords, as the Lord Wharton, Willow by of Parham, Brooke, Roberts, &c. did as bravely. All this hath God enabled our Army to performe, though from VVednesday till this moment of my writing, the Common Souldiers have not come into a bed, but have lodged in the open Field in the wet and cold nights, and most of them scarce eat or drank any thing for 24 houres together, nay, I may say for 48, except fresh water where they could get it. Mr. Ash was marvellously preserved from the cruelty of foure Cavaliers which set upon him, one of them cut off his hat and raised his haire with his sword, but never touched his skin. God hath brought most of our Ministers this night to Warwicke, Mr. Ash amongst the rest, and Mr. Marshall, whose danger was no lesse: For my owne part, after I had discharged my duty as farre as I was enabled, by passing from Regiment to Regiment, and Troope to Troop to encourage them, at the latter end of the fight, not knowing what the issue of things might be, in the darksome Evening, while it was yet light, I rid to Warwicke among hundreds of drawne swords, and yet was saved from the least touch of a blood, thirsty hand. The Cavaliets [Page 11]some of them pursuing our Horsemen, which as I said before, forsooke their ground in the left wing of the Army, and fled to Warwicke. Thus much I made bold to informe your Honour, that you may be able to speake confidently and stop the mouth of false rumours, you shall doe me a favour if you please to let my noble friend Sergeant Major Skippon read this letter, because it is newes proper for his element, I desire Mr. Case (next to my humble respect to your good Lady) may know that I love him and his. If you shall thinke it convenient to Print this Relation, perhaps it may bee usefull, if done speedily, you need not doubt of the truth of any part of it.
ANd besides the victory here at Keinten Field by Edgehill on the Parliament side, done by his Excellencie, there were slaine of eminent men on the Kings side, the Earle of Linasey, who was wounded and taken prisoner, and brought to Warwicke Castle, but shone dyed of his wounds: The Lord D'Aubigney (commonly called Dawbeny) brother to the Duke of Richmond and Lenox; Sir Edmund Varney Knight Marshall to his Majesty, and a little before at Nottingham made his Standard beater; of which three persons the letter doth not make mention: However, after this victory at Keinton Field, his Excellencie, as a Victor retreated an readed himselfe with his considerable Army into Warwicke, and there he had the strongly scituated Towne and [Page 12]Castle for his better safety, during his abode there; where he was with the acclamations of all good people there triumphantly received and entertained.
And the more particular Relation of Keinton Field battell was Printed and published afterwards in divers bookes done by speciall license and Authority of Parliament, undeniable to all reasonable men.
In November following, we must confesse that his Excellencie being blinded with a treachery of a three dayes Treaty, the Enemy taking advantage also of a mystie morning, did in a manner unawares set upon part of his Forces at Brainceford, commonly called Branford in Mid-lesex upon the Rever of Tames, and there they did, I say still, most treacherously kill and slay many of our unprovided men in a very barbarous, butcherly and immane manner; they also tooke some of our men prisoners, but not all, as Naworth most falsely repotteth; for the next day being the Lords day, the famous and charitable City of London sent almost 100. Carts loads of Victualls of all sorts, Barrells of Beere, and some Hogsheads of Wine, to relieve divers thousands of the remaining Army: And the Lord Generall being quartered neare Brainceford, returned deserved thankes to the City for their love in relieving his hungry and wearied Army: But the Cavaliers did miserably plunder the poore naked Towne of Brainceford. And, some say, his Majesty did view the many dead bodies there slaine of his Subjects with good contentment, &c. and soone after hee made his retreat to Oxford.
In March following, 1642. at Hopton heath in Staffordshire, Sir Iohn Gell and Sir William Brereton, with some of [Page 13]his Excellencies Forces, set upon the Cavaliers under the command of the Earle of Northampton, a cruell commander amongst the Cavaliers; where they for the Parliament had a notable battell, with good successe, and losse of the Cavaliers side, and their Commander in chiefe, Northampton, was there slaine.
In Aprill following, Prince Rupert came to Brumingham in Warwickshire, where being but small Forces to resist his Cavaliers, he not only plundered and ransacked the Towne, but at his going away, he caused unmanly a great part of the Towne to be set on fire and burned to the ground, which were almost 100 houses, yet albeit the Towne Forces were but an handfull in comparison of the Cavaliers: William Earle of Denbigh an eminent Cavalier was there shot and slaine within a mile of the Towne; as also an other eminent man, who was thought to be a Stewart was there slaine and buried in Brumingham Church, with such secresie that it would not be known what he was.
At Chinner in Oxfordshire, how valiantly and victoriously his Excellencies Forces behaved themselves, appeareth by a letter sent by his Lordship to Mr. Speaker of the House of Commons, dated at Thame; which here followeth verbatim as it was sent.
A Letter sent from His EXCELLENCY ROBERT EARLE of ESSEX, directed to the SPEAKER of the House of COMMONS.
THere being some of my Horse that had an Encounter with the Enemy yesterday being Sunday; I thought fit to give the House an Account of the particulars of it knowing how apt many are to mis-report things to our disadvantage.
About two of the clocke on Sunday morning, the Enemy with about twelve hundred Horse, and a great body of Dragoones fell into a Towne called Porcham, where one Troope of Horse (being Colonell Morleyes) was Quartered of which they tooke the greatest part, and from thence went not farre to another Village called Chinner, where they beat up some of the new Bedfor shire Dragoons, and tooke some of them Prisoners, and three of their Colours, [Page 15]and some of the Officers behaving themselves very well, and defending the houses where they were, they set fire on the Towne; these being our Quarters, the Alarm came where Major Gunter lay with three Troops (viz.) his owne, Captaine Sheffields, and Captaine Crosses, whom he presently drew out and marched towards the Enemy; Colonel Hampden being abroad with Sir Samuel Luke and onely one man, and seeing Major Gunters Forces, they did goe along with them, Colonel Dulbeir the Quarter-master Generall did likewise come to them: with these they drew neare the Enemy, and finding them marching away kept still upon the Reare for almost five miles. In this time there joyned with them Captaine Sanders Troop, and Captaine Buller, with fifty commanded men, which were sent to Chinner by Sir Philip Stapleton, who had the watch here that night at Thame, when he discovered the fire there, to know the occasion of it, he likewise sent one Troope of Dragoons under the command of Captaine Dundasse, who came up to them. There were likewise some few of Colonell Melves Dragoons that came to them; at length our men pressed them so neare, that being in a large pasture ground they drew up, and notwithstanding the inequality of the numbers, we having not above 300 Horse, our men charged them very gallantly, and slew divers of them; but while they were in the fight, the Enemy being so very strong, kept a Body of Horse for his reserve, and with that Body wheel'd about and charg'd our men in the Reare, so that being encompassed and overborne with multitude, they broke and fled, though it was not very farre: For when I heard that our men marched in the Reare of the Enemy, I sent to Sir Philip Stapleton, who presently marched toward them with his Regiment; and though he came somewhat short of the Skirmish, yet seeing our men Retreat in that disorder, he stopt them, caused them to draw into a Body with him, where they stood about an houre: Whereupon the Enemy marched away. In this Skirmish there were slaine forty [Page 16]and five on both sides, whereof the greater part were theirs.
They carried off the bodies of divers persons of quality. On our side Major Gunter was killed, but some say he is prisoner, and so hurt; a man of much courage and fidelity, his bravery engaging him, and his small party too far: Colonell Hampden put himself in Captain Crosse his Troop where he charged with much courage, and was unfortunately shot through the shoulder. Sir Samuel Luke thrice taken prisoner, and fortunately rescued: Captaine Crosse had his horse killed under him in the middest of the Enemy, and was mounted by one of his owne men, who quitted his owne horse to save his Captaine.
Captaine Buller was shot in the necke, who shewed very much resolution in this fight, taking one prisoner after he was shot. Mounsieur Dulbier with Captaine Bosa and Captaine Ennis, did likewise carry themselves very well. We likewise lost two colours, viz. Major Gunter and Captaine Shefields; no prisoners of quality were taken by the Enemy, but Captain Sheffeilds brother. P. Rupert was there in person, and the Renagado Hurry. We took prisoner one of the Earle of Berks sonnes, Captaine Gardener, the late Recorders son of London, and Captaine Smith, with some other of quality, and divers prisoners.
Sir, this is the true Relation of what passed in this businesse, I rest,
Also a little before the said time His Excellencie wrote a Letter of gratitude to the Gentlemen Freeholders and well-affected people in the County of Essex, wherein because his Noblenesse is therein seen, I have also inserted, as followeth.
A Letter sent from His EXCELLENCY the EARLE of Essex, to the Gentlemen, Freeholders, and well-affected people in the County of Essex.
HEaring of your readinesse to assist in this great Cause with your persons and purses, for the defence of Religion and Liberty, and what ever is deare unto us, and of your willingnesse to rise generally, and to joyne with other Counties, to deliver your selves from that slavery and misery that our Enemies would bring upon us: I doe with much joy receive your resolutions, and count it a speciall mercy of God, that makes his people sensible of their dangers and willing to hazard their lives for him, and do judge it the most hopefull meanes [Page 18]of concluding these unhappy distractions of the Kingdome. Therefore I desire you to assure your selves of all assistance from me that the Army can afford, and my earnest desire is to helpe you in it. And I desire such may appeare in this cause as have most interest in it; such of whose constancy and courage we may be assured, men of Religious lives and affections fittest to beare Armes for truth of Religion, Men of estates to defend those estates that the Enemy seeks to devoure: The employment is not too meane for the best men, and then we shall hope for successe when such put their hands to the worke; for assure your selves, the loosnesse and inconstancie of the Souldiers, amongst others is one cause of the continuance of the Warre: I desire you to provide your selves as well as you can with Armes and necessaries, and to bring six weeks pay in your purses, considering that the march is long, and but a moneth of that may be spent in service: when that time is expired, we hope you may returne home with peace: if we shall entreat your further helpe, wee shall provide for you as well as God will inable us. Chuse Commanders your selves, Colonells and Captaines, when we shall heare their names, we shall send them Commissions, and when you shall come neare us, wee shall send some able and experience Commanders from our Army to assist you, Doubt not of your Country in your absence, we shall [Page 19]take a course for the securing and quieting of the Malignants; your safety is in being in Armes, it will bee your happinesse to sight with your enemies at distance, and so keep them from spoyling that as yet peaceable & flourishing County. If God stirre the bearts of people to appeare generally, and to prosper our endeavours, we hope the successe will be happy and comfortable.
NOw, because some mouthes have been more open than they should, concerning his Excellencies lying so long before Redding before he tooke it, let it be granted, that he might have taken it long before he did; but hee must then have stormed and spoyled the Towne, and shed abundance of innocent bloud of women and children; of all which he was tender, and like a right Noble Generall, he intending rather to starve the Enemy then storme the Towne, waited the time to cut off all reliefe to come to the Enemy in the Town, which was at length surrendred unto His Excellencie upon Articles and composition, with the losse of little or no bloud at all, but what happened afterwards by mortality of some [Page 20]infectious disease and nastinesse that the Cavaliers had there left behinde them; whereof abundance of His Excellencies Souldiers dyed at Thame and thereabouts, and therefore that Towne of Redding was not held so considerable to keep, which made the Enemy the easier to obtaine it againe.
In September 1643. His Excellencie with a very considerable Army, and being assisted by the London Trained Band and Auxilliaries came to raise the fierce siege at Gloucester, which in a short time he successively and victoriously did raise, relieved the City, and sent the Cavalier besiegers packing, who went towards Newbery, which Towne indeed they tooke, but His Excellencie pursued and chased them close at the heeles, slew many of them at Auburn Chase, and at length gave them battell within a mile of Newbery, and there slew very many, and tooke many prisoners: This fight was the 20 of September, upon a hill neare Newbery and Enburne Heath; and amongst those that were slaine on the Kings party of eminent men, were the French Marquesse de la Vienville, Dormer Earle of Carnarvon, Spencer Earle of Sunderland, Carey Lord Viscount Faulkand: The Oxonian Aulicus giveth Carnarvon the attribute of Incomparable; indeed he was known for an incomparable swearer, and deviser of execrable oaths, not to be named: Sunderland had little in him, but lately came to have the title of an Earledome conferred on him: For Faulkland, he was a learned and hopefull Gentleman, and pity it was that he ever turned to be a Cavalier, and to lose his life in so bad a cause against the Parliament, the true Protestant Religion, the Lawes of the Land, and Liberty of the Subject, caetera quis nescit?
It remaines that I should say somewhat of the victorious successe that our Lord Generall hath had by that most valiant Commander Sir William Waller (subordinate to His Excellencie) in the Westerne parts of Hampshire and Wiltshire, [Page 21]and the taking of Winchester, and other Towns in those parts.
It is also knowne to the world the victorious and happy successes that that the Parliament Forces have had in taking of Milford Haven and divers other places in Pembrokeshire, and others at Nawptwich, & other places in Cheshire, Manchester, and other places in Lancashire, done and obtained by Sir William Brereton & Sir Iohn Gell: And who is also ignorant of the happy successe that God hath lately given to the Parliament Forces at Selby in Yorkshire under the command of the noble and valiant Lord Fairfax, and Sir Thomas Fairfax his generous son: For all which our Parliament victories, who knoweth not that of late on Tuesday called Easter Tuesday, by command of the higher Powers in Parliament, it was ordained, and indeed made a Holyday, and set apart for thanksgiving to Almighty God for His mercies in the late recited successes: And in all which His Excellencie next unto God, whose Cause we have in hand, is deservedly crowned with Honour:
And all the premises considered, I cannot but wonder at the unparallel'd falsity & impudencie of G. Naworth the Oxonian Almanack-maker, who in his Almanack for this presont year 1644. in his brief Chronologie of the most remarkable occurrences since the beginning of this Rebellion (as he, forsooth, is pleased to tearme this our lawfull defensive War for the King and Parliament) to invert, pervert and falsifie His Excellencies victorie for the Parliament at Keinton Field and elsewhere; which his falsities by the premises are confuted; and I could more fully and particularly confute all his false glozing and parasiticall Chronologie, but that I find it is already done by Mr. Iohn Booker, as indeed it was, and is most properly belonging unto him to do, dixi.
A true and briefe Chronologie of what successefull things have been done since His Excellencie entred into action, Lord Generall for the Parliament Forces, upon the King His beginning to declare His Cavalier War against the Parliament.
NExt after Kingston upon Hull resisted His Majesties hostile entrance: The City of Coventry in Warwickshire, an eminent and very considerable place, in the very centre or midst of England, stood out and denied His Majesties entrance with His Cavaliers, August 22. 1642. and the City was out of hand better fortified, and His Excellencie sent Ordnance and Ammunition into it. About the same time the Towne of Northampton was fortified. Warwicke Towne and the Castle (the seat of the Lord Brook) did the same, about the same time.
His Excellencies victory at Kinton battell, October 22. 1642.
Winsor, and the strong considerable Castle, fortified by His Excellencie with a garrison of London Souldiers, about the beginning of the yeare, 1643.
Redding surrendred to His Excellencie 27 Aprill, 1643.
Cirencester commonly called Cicester, surprised by His Excellencies Forces 16 September 1643.
Glocester siege raised and the City relieved, 8 Sept. 1643.
The Enemy pursued by His Excellencie, chased and beaten at Auberne Chase, 18. Septem. 1643.
His Excellencie still pursued the Enemy, and gave them battell with victorious successe near Newbery, 20. Sept. 1643.
Newport Panell, and other places in Hartfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire taken in, and held by His Excellencie in November and December, 1643.
Sir William Wallers victorious successe, routing the Enemy neare Winchester, and his taking in of Winchester, Andover, and other Townes in Hampshire, in March 1643. 1644. and the City of Salisbury rescued and surprised soone after.
Selby in Yorkeshire taken by the victorious hand of the Lord Fairfax and Sir Thomas Fairfax, in April 1644. &c.
To the READER.
THus endeth the first part of this Apologie for His Excellencie, and his Actions untill May last, when as on the 14 day of the same Moneth His Excellencie went out of London. The second part of His Excellencies expeditions since that time, you may expect very suddenly, vale.
Published by Authority.