AT the last meeting of the said Earle & the Lord Brooks I informed you upon what Conditions they agreed on, namely, that there should be three dayes warning given before the removall of any Ammunition from Banbury to Warwicke Castle, which was per­formed by the said Lord, for having sent a Mes­sage to the said Earle that he was resolved to put [Page 4]the command of the High Court of Parliament in execution, withall desiring him to desist from putting the Commission of Array in execution, it being both illegall and destructive to the peace of the Kingdome. Which Message being recei­ved by the Earle of Northampton, He presently caused those of his partie to arme themselves, animating them on, and telling them that then was the time for them to doe their King and Countrey good and acceptable service; with many other vaine glorious speeches, which in­deed were usefull. At that time those of his par­rie for the major part being very cold in their affections toward that designe, yet neverthelesse by his flattering Orations, he drew a considera­ble company to him of Gentlemen and other poore men that were seduced by his pretence of standing for the King; Which having obtained he put them into Order, and marcht towards Keintith unto a plaine Heath over which the Lord Brooks was to march with his Ammuni­tion.

The Lord Brooks according to his word set forward, having onely three hundred Muskette­ers, sixtie Pikes, and about two hundred Horse, being severall well affected Gentlemen that were [Page 5]Inhabitants in and about Banbury, neverthelesse, such was the affection of the said Countie to­ward the Parliament, and knowing no way bet­ter to expresse it than to the Lord Brooks, which was a member therof, they resolved to lend their best ayde and assistance to the said Lord, to the end that thereby he might be the better enabled to discharge that trust which was committed to him.

Wherefore they in severall companies met him on the way, proffering their lives and fortunes to be commanded by him, so that before he had marched three miles be had about three thou­sand horse and foote, with which he marched till he arrived the Heath, where the Earle of Northampton was accompanied with his partie: the sight of whom caused the said Lord to make a stand, which being effected, he drew up his Foote into a compleat Body, placing his Horses on the wings, likewise his Ordnance being mounted on running carriages he drew up in the middle, making a small division, to the end that if occasion were, they might offend the ene­my, and yet indure no hazard.

Having in this order placed them, He with a chearfull countenance asked them, if they were [Page 6]resolved to stand it out, and to hazard their lives in the defence of the King and Parliament.

They with a generall shout confirmed it, shewing such symptomes of their forwardnesse, that made my Lord Brooks weepe with very ioy, giving them thankes with such a heartie love, which wrought so with them, that they marcht forward with such confidence that they disheart­ned the other partie, who were ready to revolt before they came to parley; Neverthelesse, the Lord Books intreated them, as they esteemed the peace of the Kingdome, not for to shoot one Pi­stoll without they were inforced for their de­fence; onely to use all meanes they could for to outdare them, by that meanes to attaine their de­sires without the effusion of bloud.

In the meane time, the Earle of Northampton had bestowed Lip-labour on his valiant follow­ers, and heartned them on, drawing them on within Pistoll-shot of the Lord Brooks, which be­ing done, they made a stand, and beat a Parley. Which was answered by my Lord Brooks and twenty Gentlemen chose out of either partie as Guards for to secure them; both parties met and the Earle of Northampton made his demands, which were to this effect:

[Page 7] 1. That the said Lord Brooks should deliver him the Ammunition which he had in his com­mand, for to be imployed in his Majesties service.

2. That he should desist in putting the Mili­tia in execution.

3. That he should resigne Warwicke Castle.

Withall threatning my Lord Brooks, that if he should deny his just, lawfull, and friendly Demands, (not doubting the resolution of his followers, and knowing the justice of his cause) he would make that place their graves that stood in opposition, giving them such reproachfull words, that the twenty Gentlemen that were elected as a Guard to the Lord Brooks, unexspe­ctedly disarmed the Guard on the other partie, unhorsing of them before ever they knew what the matter was; which the Earle seeing clapt spurres to his Horse and rid to the Head of his Troopes, bidding them give fire. Like Wise the Lord Brooks caused his men to open to the right and left, which being done, the Adverse partie might see his Ordnance mounted, and his Can­non neere ready to give fire: Which they seeing in stead of fighting began to throw downe their Armes and ran away, some to the Lord Brooks, and some to their owne Houses, leaving the [Page 8]Earle none but one of his Gentlemen and two foot-boyes to attend him, which caused the said Earle to try whether He or his foot-boyes could run fastest. Which caused such a shouting on the other side, as was wonderfull to heare.

This danger being over, the Lord Brooks cau­sed the Armes to be gathered up that they had left behind them and put them upon a Waggon; and afterward read a Vote of the Lords & Com­mons, Concerning the Commission of Array, namely, that the Lords and Commons assem­bled in Parliament, That the Commissions of Array granted by his Maiestie, are altogether illegall, destructive to the peace of the Kingdom, against the Lawes of the Land, and the libertie of the Subiect; withall encouraging them on to a readinesse to obey the Parliament, and to withstand the Commissioners of Array.

Which being done, He took his lourney for­ward, where I will leave Him and you, till the next opportunitie shall give occasion to informe you of His further Proceedings.

From Banbury this 3. of August. 1642.

Ordered that this be Printed and published.