HIstory (saith Cicero, is the witnesse of the times, the life of memory and light of verity: I have therefore undertaken to testifie that, whereof I was an eye-witnesse, and to give light unto the truth of all the following passages which otherwise might be obscu­red or prejudiced, by the [...]ception of the first, and none of the truest Newes.

August 1. Thursday, The Major-generall drew out of Doncaster and the adjacent Villages, to the [...] said Town, his own Regiment, Colonell Pickerings and [...] their Regi­ments, in all not above 1000 march [...] [...]: Lie [...]tenant-Colonell Rich drew out his Colonell Colonell Sidney his Regiment of horse. And thus with a great deale of patience vs marched through a very rocky, and almost inaccessible countrey, in and about, Conisburough, an old ruinous and strong Castle, where of Ordnance were ever like to be over-turned. Our fo [...]t ca [...]e at night to Rotheram, our Ord­nance and Carriages were left behinde with a sufficient guard to fol­low [Page 2] us, who came to Rotheram about midnight. The same day the Major-generall omitted no oportunity, went the nearest way from Doncaster to Sheffield, being accompanied with Colonell Bright, (who at first valued not the Castle :) but when the Major-generall had viewed it, he found it to be a very considerable strength, both for naturall scituation, being in a triangle with two Rivers, the water deep in the West and East sides of the Castle, flackered on all sides, a strong Fort before the gate pallisado'd, a T [...]ch 12 foot deepe and 18 broad about the Fort, and the other parts of the Castle, and a Breast-worke pallisado'd within the Trench, betwixt it and the Castle. The Major-generall returned at night to Rotheram, and sent the Earle of Manchester a draught of their Workes; and his opi­nion of the place desiring his Lordships further orders. The said Co­lonell returned the next morning, August 2. with a Letter from the Earle of Manchester, wherein the Major-generall was left to his own discretion, with this proviso, not to in danger men; which Letter the Major-generall did communicate to the rest of the Officers, who were very willing to goe on in that enterprise, and to be directed to him: And thereupon they marched on towards Sheffield, and Colo­nell Bright went to Yorke, to bring two battering-peeces from thence (as he did undertake) against Sunday night, we to Sheffield Mannor, being welcommed and received with great acclamations, and the many prayers of that well-affected people. In the edge of the Parke we planted the Culverin (having before sent a party of horse and foot into the Towne) and there did discharge three great shot with great dexterity into the Castle, one whereof shot through the Governours chamber: and thereafter we marched through the upper part of the Parke, and drew a great circumference with our Ord­nance, to eschew the danger of the Castle, and entred at the upper end of the Towne, where the Towns-men with great joy drew down the Ordnance to the market-place: and thereafter the Major-gene­rall summoned them by a Trumpeter in the Earle of Manchesters name, to surrender the place into his hands for King and Parliament; but they discharged three shot at the Trumpeter, who could not get audience. All this night all degrees and sexes with all cheerfulnesse cut sads, and brought them to make the battery crosse the street, [Page 3] within forty yeards of the Castle, where the carefull and vigilant Major-generall was himselfe working, incouraging others with his presence, cheerfull words, and example, the battery was well nigh perfected this night.

August 3. Captaine Sands captaine of the Pioniers, and the mast­er Gunner, attended the Major generall to view the little Towre by the River, that flauncked two quarters of the Castle, and the mount be­fore the Gate, to the end that they should finde out some convenient place to raise a battery to beat it downe, which might be very advanta­gious for us, to the gaining of the castle. Whereupon the Captaine and Gunner were both shot, the one through the theigh, and the other through the shoulder, whereof they both after dyed, they were shot in a place which was out of all view of the Castle, having both houses and hay betwixt them and it, this night we helped and raised the battery, made the Platforme, and the Major Generall, with Major Hamilton, went to view the Castle more narrowly.

August 4. After two Sermons this day, all the people went to erect a new battery, and at night the Major Generall accompanied with ma­jor Forbus and major Hamilton, went to view a sluce that was stopt to keep the water deep about the east side of the Castle, which he thought to draine the more to facilitate his businesse, this night was spent by him with great toile, and no small danger, the Ordnance were planted with­out all hurt.

August 5. The Ordnance began to batter, which made the besieged more milde then they were before, and their Governour received our summons, and returned us answer that the Castle was intrusted unto him by his Majestie, which trust he valued more then his life: at night the Major Generall by threates, promises and money, got together some Colliers to myne the Castle, which they found not to feasable, it being builded on a rock. This day the Major generall wrote to the Earle of Manchester, that Ammunition and Ball was likely to be wanting, and the Major generall went to the Iron Mils, and set men a work to make moulds for to cast Balls for our pieces, which was foorthwith done; this night the Major generall attempted to break up the Sluce through the Dame, to let out the water of that corner against the Orchard, on the east side of the Castle, which could not take effect. And this night we [Page 4] perfected the battery and platmforme that fl [...]uncked the draw-bridge of the Castle, with intention to b [...]a [...]e it downe with one of our Sa­ [...], whereby they might not have passage to releive the fort from the Ca [...]le.

August 7. This day we received some powder from the Earle of Manchester, some Sakar shot from the Iron works, and newes of Coll. Bright, that he was on his march with 500. foot, 300. horse to convoy an Iron Domicaunon and the Queenes Pocket Pistoll to us. Whereupon the Major generall sent to hasten their march, and this day the towne of Sheffield sent a petition to the Earl of Manchester, desiring his Honour to continue his Forces with them, untill the L [...]rd would be pleased to deliver it into our hands otherwise of all men would be the most misera­ble: for if they aboad after our departure, their consciences would be o­verburthened, their estates plundred, and themselves become subject to all s [...]ery and misery, or otherwise they would be necessitated to follow the Army, hereupon his Lordship was pleased of his owne goodnesse, to take into consideration their present condition, and the ensuing dangers of so good a people, and did grant a positive to reduce the Castle, and not depart from it untill it was surrend [...]d. And this night the Major-generall raised a new battery against the west side of the Castle, and then placed the Culvering which made a small breach the next day.

August 8. Our Sakars beat downe the Battlements, and a part of the Towre that flauncked that quarter of the Castle, and dismounted a Drake planted thereon. This day the enemy shot some great Granadoes into the Towne and Church-yeard, which did no execution; the same day two Gunners were shot through the Port-holes, in the fingers by the enmy, the Major general sent Major Alford to conduct the ordnance with four Troopes of Horse from Doncaster to us, hearing that the 500. foot were diminished to one, and that the horse were not above two hundred in all. He likewise sent to the adjoyning Constables, to provide fresh draughts to further the Ordnance speedy march.

August 9. This day at six a cl [...]ck in the evening, the Ordnance came to us, and the Major-generall both day and night with indefatigable paines, d [...]d see the battery raised higher, the Port holes mended, the ground levelled, the platformes made, and the Ordnance planted.

August 20. this day the Culverin, Demi-cannon, and Pocket-pistoll, [Page 5] plaid at the brea [...]h the Sak [...] at the battlements very sound­ly, which made a good breach, and thereafter summoned them the second time to yeeld the place for King and Parliament: in answere whereto they desired a parley; which was granted, and the Commis­sioners authorised by the Major-generall were, Colonel▪ P [...]kering, Lievtenant Colonell Grames▪ and Major Hamilton: and for them were Cap. Heinsworth, Mr Samuell Savill, and Mr Robson; which parley continued till sixe of the clocke at night without effect, but that Cap. Heinsworth with his associates desired that they might acquaint the Governour with the debates controverted; which was granted, and that they should returne an answer within a quarter of an houre, or otherwise stand to their hazzard. And they returning no answere within the time prefixed, we discharged six shot more, which brought them to desire a continuation of the Treaty; which was continued till night, and thereafter agreed on these Articles inclosed, and they sent out hostages to us for performance of the Articles, viz. Sir John Key and Captaine Heinsworth.

August 11. This day, after solemne thanks performed, the Lady Savill with her retinue marched forth of the Castle with her Coach to Woodhouse, whether she was safely convoyed by a Lievtenant, of our horse. The Governour being 200 strong marched out of the Castle, and those few (not being in all 30) that had no desire to lay downe their Armes, were to be convoyed to Pontefract by Captain Gothericke, one of the Lord Fairfax his Captains of horse, who ex­pected them all day at the Bridge under the Castle, but they came forth so drunk, that they were not apprehensive of danger, nor ca­pable of any thing but evill and raising speeches, whereof they were [Page 8] very lavish, which cost some straglers their cloaths, who went not with the Convoy. The Governour, Captain Hemsworth, and many others received Protections, to liue in the countrey, they submit­ting themselves to all the Ordinances of Parliament. We got in this Castle abundance of provision, which was sold for the use of the Army, to the Towne of Sheffield, for 250 li. We found many hundreds of Granado's, and many hundreds of round shot from the Cannon to the Minion, ten barrels of powder, eight Iron peeces, five hundred Armes, and some other provisions and necessaries for the Castle, two Morter-pieces.

Aug. 12. The Major Generall went to view Balsower, and found it to be inaccessable in the one side, being build on a steep Hill, and the Castle well flanckered, and from the Towne a brest-work, having a deep Trench 16. foote broad, and a Fort pallisado'd, and that with­all hee could secure a strong partie of Souldiers very nigh the Castle, and would undertake (if the Earle of Manchester would bee pleased to send him thither to reduce it under his Lordships command, the Major Generall in his Journey to Balsower viewed Col. Fretchwell his house who came along with him to Sheffeild, the Major Generall by his faire carriage and wisdom, effected that House without blowes which otherwise might have cost us deare, we obtained in it 11. Iron Gunnes, and whereof was a Demiculverin, 300. Armes, and a con­siderable quantitie of powder, and that the said Colonell should slight his workes, which were exceeding strong, which was begun before our departure from Bolsower, and submit himselfe to all the Ordinan­ces of Parliament. I cannot forget one passage that was acted at Bol­sover this day, which was questionlesse an argument of Gods Justice against the Gunner of the Castle, who seeing the Major Generall draw neere to view it, with blasphemous curses gave fire upon him with his Drake, which breaking in peeces, it killed himselfe, and his Sister standing by him.

August 13. This day the Earle of Manchester by the earnest so­licitation of the Commitee of Darby was pleased to leave it to the discretion of the Major Generall, where hee should march to it, or not, who calling the Officers to consultation unanimously they did a­gree to advance thither, and marched this night to.

[Page 9] August 14. We came before night to Balsover, where the Major general set men a work to erect a battery crosse the street, against the Fort before the Castle Gate, and the other Battery to be erected up­on Sheffeild side of the Castle, but were prevented to execute our In­tentions, by the comming of a Drum from the Castle with a Letter from an old Gentleman to Colonell Barmudin, who at this time lay about Chesterfield, attending on the Major Generall, desiring to speake to him, the Gentleman believing him to bee Commander in chief. The Colonell immediately acquaints the Major Generall there­with, who gave safe conduct unto the Gentleman, before whom the Major Generall carried himselfe very highly, and disdained to send them summons because they made small accompt of the Earle of Manchesters summons, which were sent them from Doncaster, by which meanes the Gentleman seeing the Major Generalls resolution was desirous to secure his own life, and (if he could) the house which at as great a valew as himselfe, the Gentleman went in, and told the Governour of the Major Generall Carriage and resolution (which proved effectuall for the speedy deliuery of the Castle) who hereto­fore vowed to make it his Grave, was now resolved to come to an a­greement, wherefore hee came out himselfe, and two others to the Major Generall, without any Hostages asked, and thereafter agreed upon the inclosed Articles.

We got in the Castle sixe peeces of Ordnance, Iron and Lead, 300 Fire-armes, 10 barrels of Pouder, Match and Bullet proportionable, and very little provision for the garrison.

August 15. This day the Governour marched out of the Castle 180. strong, and those few that had no desire to goe to their country, were safely convoyed by Colonell Barmudin toward Newark: only ex­cept the Governour himself, who straying from his Convoy, was pil­laged of all, and afterward had armes and horse, befitting his quality, given him by Colonell Pickering, and was by him sent with a guard to the Convoy. This day the Major-generall went to view Wing­field Mannor, upon whose returne the Earle of Manchester was plea­sed to leave it to the Major-generalls discretion; who hearing that the enemy in Leicester-shire were drawing to a considerable body, and fearing lest they should ruine that poore county in defeating the forces before the Mannor, and seeing the place not likely to be obtai­ned by Sir John Gell without more Forces, he, with the advice of the Officers, resolved to advance to the Mannor the next day.

August 16. The Major-generall this day set things in order at Balsover, and placed Captain Mercer with his Dragoons in it, whilst he received further orders from him; and left with the said Captain Colonell Fretchwells Ordnance, for which at that time we had no sure carriages

[Page 11] August 17. we marched from Balsover to North-Wingfield, and up­on Sunday August 18. after prayer, to Alfertown, and the places ad­jacent: and after Sermon in the afternoon the Major-generall omit­ting no opportunity, this night erected a battery within eighty yards of the castle; whereupon Munday night August 19. the port-holes and all other things fitting were compleated.

It shall not be amisse to shew you how we found Sir John Gell about this place, which for naturall scituation is very strong, being builded upon the side of a steep hill, and extraordinary steep in three quarters of it, the fourth quarter strongly fortified with a breast-worke pal [...]isado'd, a deep graffe, the Mannor-house and Works ex­traordinary well flankered, they within resolved to dye, rather then to surrender it to Sir Iohn Gell and therfore would not permit that any one of that county should parley with them, being furnished with all things necessary for a long siege, and men full of resoluti­on who before we came sallied out twice on Sir Iohn Gell his men, killed and tooke Prisoners above thirty: Sir Iohn Gell had before it about 500 foot and 600 horse, and was myning above the Mill, a­gainst the Towne of Wingfield, the enemy were countermining three yards under him, his Ordnance not then near enough to make any good breach: Thus we found him, before a strong place, and a daring enemy. Having placed our Ordnance with Sir John Gells brasse and iron Culverings, the Major-generall gave orders to play the Tusday morning August 20. by day-light, which he himselfe did see them performe: And after that he had made a breach, he summoned the Castle to be surrendred into his hands for the King and Parliament: they sent forth upon the summons, to desire an hostage for Major [...]yr [...] to come forth, which was granted and Ma­jor Forbes was sent into the Mannor. Major Eyre desired that hee might send to Sheffield and Bolsover, to see whether they were sur­rendred or not: the Major-generall shewed him the Articles of a­greement and told upon his reputation, that they were surrendred unto him: The Major notwithstanding persisted in his desire, to have a man sent to Sheffield: which the Major-generall hearing, sent him into the Castle again, and began to batter with more alacrity [Page 21] then formerly; whereupon the enemy beat a Parley, which for the noise of the Ordnance was not heard for a long time, but at last was heard, and they desired a Parley; which was granted, and thereaf­ter these inclosed Articles were agreed on, by the Commissioners appointed by the Major-generall, viz. the adjutant Generall Stir­ling and Colonell Pickering: and on their party the Commissioners appointed were, Major Eyre and Wil. Whichcot, the Governour gave in hostages for the safe returne of the convoy, viz.

[Page 14] August 21. The Governour marched forth with 200 men: All the Officers (himselfe excepted) laid downe their Armes, and recei­ved Protections from the Major-generall, (as they of Sheffield) which were confirmed by the Earle of Manchester: The common Souldiers went to their owne homes; the Governour had some for­ty that went to Tutbury in Stafford-shire with him, they were con­voyed by Major Alford with foure Troops of horse, who were mar­shalled thus; one Troop in the Van, another in the Reare, and a Troop in each Flanck of the Governour and his followers. There was found in this Castle 500 Armes, foure barrels of powder, Match and Bullet proportionable, eight peeces of Ordnance, and provision for the garrison, which was given over by the Major-generall. Out hostages, Major Eyre and Major seeing the faire demeanour and affability of the Major-generall, and hearing the country peo­ple (whose affections were very much united to him) speake very much of his goodnesse towards them, in not suffering them to be oppressed, and hearing of the gallantry of the man at the late siege of Yorke. and some of them being eye-witnesses of his wisdome and valour at the battell of Longmosten moore they were glad to bee conquered by him and thought it their happinesse to be acquainted with him and resolved never after to carry Armes against the Par­liament, finding (beyond expectation) the good carriage and beha­viour of our Officers and Souldiers towards all, and they desired the Earle of Manchesters protection which was granted them at Lin­colne, and now are returned to their owne habitations.

Thus the Lord did give a blessing to the carefull endevours and undertakings of the Major-generall, and the other Officers, who with an handfull of men possest the enemy with feare, and reduced that whole countrey to the obedience of King and Parliament: And uwon the 22 day we marched to Mansfield, and from thence to Redford, and thence on the 23 to Littleburgh, and thence on the 24 to Gainsborow, where now we remaine, not sixe men fewer then when we left Doncaster, onely some few are sickened. The Lord give us thankfull hearts for this his goodnesse towards us and crown this worke begun, to his owne glory, and our comfort. Amen.