THE EXAMINATION OF Colonell Lunsford, Colonell Vavasor, Captaine Noes, Lieutenant Colonell Ballard, Sergeant Major Wallis, Cornet Strangewaies, Lieutenant VVh [...]te, Sergeant Iones, and Mr. Bland, Delinquents.
Who were taken in the Fight at Kineton in VVarwickshire, and were committed to VVarwicke Castle, and on the the 17. of November were examined upon some particular Articles.
Whereunto is annexed a SPEECH OF Colonell Lunsfords, which hee spake at his Examination.
Printed for Tho. Cooke. Novemb. 19. 1642.
The Examination of Colonell
Lunsford, Colonell
Vavasor, &c.
1. REport was made, that upon the Examination of Colonell Lunsford, he was found to have a trecherous intent and a private conspiracie with the Delinquents, to betray it into the hands of of the Malignants, resident in the City and Suburbs, and whose exmination consisteth of these 3. heads, viz.
I. Concerning the Delinquents in the Tower.
II. The Lord Digby and French is concerned in this Conspiracie.
III. His urgent provoking Sir John Byron to assist his Majesty against the Parliament.
[Page] Colonell Uavasors exammination was reported, who saies, that he had no hand in the conspiracy; onely Colonell Lunsford invited him to List himselfe in the number of his Majesties Commanders, in this present designe, and imployment of his Maiesties service.
Captaine Noes exammination was reported, who deposeth and saith, Captain Legg his escape was first practised by the Earle of Northampton, who sent severall summes of money toward his lollity among the Saylors that he might the better thereby worke his owne ends, as afterwards it so happened.
Leivetennant Colonell Ballards exammination was reported by Mr. Staply, that Captain Chidley had brought down to the Army many instuctions from the Earle of Lindsey Lord Generall, and that Colonell Goring should be Leivetenant Generall of the Army, and that Prince Rupert and the Earle of Newcastle with their severall troopes of horse should [Page] meet the Lord Generall in Nottinghamshere and there to take into their charg the Dragoones formerly appointed to be raised by his Maiesties command, all which instructions came from Mr. Holborne, and were dispersed by Captaine Cihdly.
Sergeant Maior Wallis upon his exammination s [...]ith, that the French would assist his Maiesty, and that the Bishops and other the Clergy would at their own charge maintaine 2000 horse, with a collection through all their Diocesses for three tenthes at the least, or more if occasion shall require.
Colonell Strangewayes, upon his exammination sayes that he is tyed up by an oath of secrecy, and therefore durst not answer to any of the interrogatoryes, which oath he saies was given him by Master Peirce his Chamber [Page] Chamber in the presence of Commissary Wilmot, which refuseth to make any further answer hereto.
Lieutenant White, Sergeant Jones, their Examinations, who said, That they had taken this Oath, and that they were urged to take it by Colonell Ashburnham and Captaine Pollard.
Mr. Bland upon his Examination upon the 7. Article, saith, That the seven Priests landed at Foy in Cornwall, hee was commanded with other troopes belonging to Sir Bevill Greenvile, to couvey them to the Marquis of Hartford at Sherborne, which went after into Wales with the Marquis, and what since is become of them, he cannot further depose.
A Speech of Colonell Lunsfords, upon His Examination.
I Stand here before you a Prisoner accused of High Treason, and Liberty is offered mee, 'tis true, but like Merchants you value it at such a rare, that my Fidelity, and all that is due to a Noble Minde, must be the price to purchase it: If I refuse what you propound, Racke, Torture, Losse of Goods, Lands, and perhaps Life it selfe threatned: Hard choyse, yet I must choose; It is in my power to be a Free-man, but how? If I will be a slave, I have already given my Faith unto my Prince, upon whose Head this Crowne, by all Law of Nature and Nations doth justly appertain. Shall I falsifie that Faith? (Heaven forbid) In that word Prince there is a Deity inclosed, who wounds them, wounds the Divine Nature: Why then shall I draw my Sword under so holy a Vayle, was Religion ever built in blood? Did the Primitive Church ever propagate the Gospel with other then their owne blood, which they at all times patiently shed, not only for God, but their Princes. I have read, that as the Devill was the first Rebell, so Iudas was the only Traitor amongst the Apostles; And shall wee ranke our selves amongst those hated examples of Disloyaltie [Page] and treachery, (God forbid) besides Traytors are hatefull to all Princes, see therefore what will be the end of such ill grounded VVarr, I see the misery with horror that attends it, wasting of goods, ruining of townes, and Cities, and the uniust liberty which we usurp lost in an instant, and wife, children, and blood, which man holds deare: if we pitty not ourselves let us pitty those we hold deare; Kings have power to subdue the stubbornest, therefore this blessed arme that stretcheth out to receive us, when all is a wildernesse we shall beg that which we now refuse, for my part I am in your power, and know not how this Speech will be taken, howsoever you dispose of me, I will never staine mine Auncestors, nor leave the title of Traytor upon my posterity, but will end with the saying of that worthy gentleman M. H. you may when you please take my head from my shoulders but not my heart from my Soveraigne.