A TRUE AND EXACT RELATION OF THE MOST REMARKABLE PASSAGES, WHICH have happened at Warwicke and Banbury since my Lord of Northamptons taking away the Ordnance from Banbury Castle.
Sent in a Letter from a Gentleman of good worth, to his Sonne in Burchen-Lane, London. Which Gentleman hath been in all the Oppositions to the Earle of Northamptons Proceedings.
Likewise, A Declaration by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That all such Persons upon any pretence whatsoever, that shall assist his Majesty, with Horse, Arms, Plate or Money, are Traytors to the King, Parliament, and Kingdom, and shall be brought to condigne punishment for the same.
Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That this Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published.
Hen. Elsynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.
LONDON: Printed by T. P. and M. S. for John Hancocke in Bnrchen-Lane, August the 20. 1642.
A CREDIBLE RELATION.
AFter my Love remembred, These are to let you understand, that after my Lord of Northamptons bringing the Ordnance from Banbury Castle, where coming to Warwicke to besiege the Castle and Magazine there, where hee hath not onely received losse of some of his men, but hath lost by the Bullet of [Page 4] a Musket part of his Lip, which hath affrighted him to oppose the Castle any farther, and as this day he purposes to returne for Banbury, hoping to speed as well as he did before; but the Countrey is fully resolved to crosse his expectation; Two dayes since he discharged a Piece of Ordnance against the Castle, which the Ordnance breaking, killed the Cannoneere; Sir Edw [...]d Peto Debutie-Lievtenant of the Castle to gratifie his Salutation, returned a Piece of Ordnance, and brake downe a Pinnacle of the Tower of Saint Maryes Church, upon which the Ordnance was planted: Presently after this Accident a Butcher carrying a shoulder of Mutton in his hand, going over the Bridge, in the sight of the Castle, held it up in derision, and cryed, Here is Meate for the Round-heads in the Castle: [Page 5] VVhereupon a Musket was discharged out of the Castle, and gave him thankes for his offer, with the depriving him of his life at the same instant; which may be a warning to all other scandalous tongues.
On Thursday last they assaulted Banbury againe with two hundred horse and foote, but through Gods assistance they beate them off; they looked for another Onset on Saturday last; there is as yet no Ayde come from London into these parts; wee daily expect them; wee stand continually upon our Guard; keeping a strong VVatch night and day; and well disposed people with us are gone to Banbury, Resolving rather to die than to loose the Armes of the Towne to the Cavaliers. Now we have a Commission to shoot, which before wee durst not; For the Cavaliers sweare [Page 6] they will possesse themselves of Banbury Castle againe, because they cannot get Warwicke, but we hope so soone as the Armie comes downe to deale well enough with them; For behinde them from Coventry, Brimigam, and Auston, we heare of 1400. gathered together, who have taken a Loade of Ammunition from them, and sent it to Coventry; VVee hope for helpe to morrow; they lie all up and downe the Countrey, pillaging in the little Townes; they steale Horse, Cowes, Sheepe, Cloathes, and Victualls, and all the Armes they can finde out; but if the Armie come, wee hope to hem them about, though they have some great persons with them, as the Lord Compton, M r Wilmote, M r Walter Pope, and M r Chamberlaine, that ayde them with Horse and Ammunition: VVee expect helpe from Northampton, [Page 7] for there are gathered together of the Trained Bands of the Countrey and Volunteers, about 1500, or 1600. They take a good course to traine them at Northampton; and we heare that there they have all shut up their Shops, and stand upon their Guard.
The Lord bring a happy end to these great Differences, and unite the King and Parliament, that we may not onely enjoy our lives and estates, but which is greater, our Religion, Lawes, and Liberties, all which lie at the Stake. Thus till the next opportunitie, I rest,
A DECLATION OF THE LORDS and COMMONS assembled in PARLIAMENT.
WHereas the King, seduced by wicked Counsell; doth make War against His Parliament and People; And for the promoting of that Warre, divers Fo [...]ces both of Horse and Foot, have been levyed and are raised by severall persons, and His Maiesties good Subjects are most cruelly robbed, spoyled and slain. To the end that no man may be misled through Ignorance, the Lords and Commons in Parliament declare, That all such persons as shall, upon any pretence whatsoever, assist His Maiestie in this War, with Horse, Arms, Plate or Money, are Traytors to His Maiestie, the Parliament, and the Kingdome, and shall be brought to condign punishment for so high an offence.
Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That this Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published.