DIvine providence (the Go­vernour of humane actions) brings that to passe with much admiration that is least expected by mans judgement; Gods handy-worke shined most cleare through the cloud of the greatest difficulties, and appeared with the fairest splendour when it passeth the [Page 2] most hazzard. Mans power doth execute what God decrees. By experience we finde that the meanest of his creatures becomes the instruments of his sacred pleasure. The King and Kingdomes differences unreconciled seem uncureable without a conquest, and God is pleased by his victories to declare the justice of that cause he so much prospers. The par­ticulars of Herefords affaires with some ob­scurity hath past the Presse, but for the gene­rall satisfaction of the whole Kingdome (be­ing an instrument in the designe) I have pre­sumed to enter upon a large discovery.

SIr Iohn Bryges in his affections most reall to his Countrey, after his continuance a while at Gloucester he came to London, where with the honourable Committee of both Kingdomes, he undertooke with his best endeavours the reducing of the city of Here­ford, and the introducing of the Parliaments forces into that Garrison, being cherished by, their Honours to proceed in the attempt he returned to Glocester; from thence disguised he travel'd into some private parts of Herefordshire, and sent to Cap. Alderne, & Cap. Howorth [Page 3] who upon his first summons repaired to him, they being together met, Sir Iohn Bridges delivered himselfe and desired their severall opinions, so that after an oath of performance and secresie past betwixt them, they concluded that for these reasons the designe was feazable.

First, the conveniancy and scituation of Ail­stons Hill which faced the draw-bridge where an army might lie in ambush, yet undiscovered by the Sentinells.

Secondly, the usuall neglect of the Guard and the common custome in not sending out Scouts to Lug-bridge.

Thirdly, the walls of the Priory within Car­bine shot off the Gate, being then standing gave an advantage there to lodge the Forlorne party of Fire-locks.

Fourthly, the constant Intelligence Cap­tain Aldern had from the Citie, the which might have prevented any danger, if the busines had ey­ther been suspected or betrayed.

Fifthly, the contrivall of sending in an Officer with 6 men in the habit of a Constable and his Parishoners. Captaine Alderne drawing a War­rent and subscribing the Constables hand of his owne Parish as a returne thereunto.

Sixthly, the assurance of a Reformado Officer in the Citie who was to be neere the Guard at the time of entry, and to hinder the drawing up of the Bridge, as also to be readie to repaire to us if he found any preparation aganst us, after the disputeing of these reasons Sir Iohn departed back to Gloucester, with a resolution to Post his man to London for orders from the Honourable Committee of both Kingdomes, Captaine Ho­worth and Captaine Alderne desired a speedy ex­pedition and thus determined to dispose several­ly of themselves, Captaine Howorth was to con­verse with the Officers in the Citie, and being acquainted with their designes to give upon all occasions intimation to Captaine Alderne in the Country from whom Sir Iohn was to receive in­tructions, so accordingly to persevere therein, the Committee of both Kingdomes for the perfect­ing of this project finding by these Gentlemens particular ingagements, there was some possibi­lity in the effect, their Honours sent for Colonel Birch whose Regiments was commanded to draw into Gloucestershire, there in readynesse to attend the event, Colonell Birch receiving his instructi­ons, came with Sir Iohn to Cannon Froome, from thence he sent privately to Captaine Alderne by [Page 5] some Troopers belonging to that Garrison, and Captain Alderne according to their message, prepared himselfe, and avoyding all the meanes of suspition, he came with Captain Howorth unto them, we blinding the busines that very instant, that his owne family were possessed with an opi­nion that the Parliaments approach was for no other end but contribution: Colonell Birch, Sir Iohn Bridges, and the two Captaines being met, the particular reasons were repeated, and all with one assent agreed upon the execution, the dry limited, which was the 16 ^th day of December, there was a messenger dispatched to the Officer within the city, with a Letter from Sr. Iohn, which intimated in short figures, both the time, and his duty, according to the agreement of all parties, Colonell Birch and Sir Iohn Bridges hastned to­wards Gloucester, and about two of the Clock, upon Tuesday morning the Governour of Glou­cester with Colonell Birch marched to Cannon Froome, from whence they drew towards Here­ford, the Foot by reason of the deepnesse of the Snow, grew weake and were unable to march further, the Horse though willing were not able to accomplish the busines, therefore Colo­nell Birch advised with Captaine Alderne, what [Page 6] was best to be done, and freely offered, if Cap­taine Alderne conceived it fit, to march with 500 Horse, and 100 Foot to prosecute the designe, Captaine Alderne imagined that the Citie might be entred with that few number, but in regard of the strengh, and desperatenesse of the enemy, he was doubtfull of a repulse, thereupon he ad­vised that the Horse and Foot should retreat to Sedbury, which was accordingly effected, after some discourse betweene Colonell Morgan and Col. Birch, and the other Gentlemen, it was con­cluded that upon Wednesday night, that the Army should march betimes to Cannon Froome, and from thence in a continuall motion draw to Hereford, in this intervale of time Captain Alderne kept correspondence with some of his friends in the City, and had the par­ticular relation of the Governours proceedings; most part of the Horse being on a march towards the reliefe of Chester, the Gover­nour himselfe being in some difference with the City, Captaine Alderne imagined that opportu­nity, the best to compasse a surprize, so that Colonell Birch and the Governour of Gloucester drew from Sedbury to Cannon Froome, from thence Captaine Alderne with two troopes of Horse se­cured [Page 7] the three Bridges, viz. Lug-bridge, Lug­warden bridge, and Wordifords bridge, by meanes whereof there could no alarm or notice passe unto the garrison; betwixt the houres of three and foure of the clocke on Thursday mor­ning the governour of Gloucester marched up with his horse, the foot seconding him, all ren­dezvouzd together on this side Aylslous hill; Cap. Howorth and one of Col. Birch his Captains commanded the Fire-locks to the Priory, the counterfeit Constable and his men were dispo­sed to their station; Cap. Alderne shewed Col. Birch the place upon the hill, to draw up the forlorne hope of horse, which was in a large dingle; the Morning-prayer-bell rung out, the Travalley was beaten in the city, and a musket of ours by accident was discharged, which pos­sessed us with a great feare that our projects were frustrated, our hopes a while dead; at last about eight of the clock the draw-bridge was let fall, the Constable observing his season kil­led the Sentinell, Cap. Howorth and the Fire­locks possessed the gate, Cap. Temple with the horse behaved himselfe most gallantly, Captaine Alderne according to command with others routed those at the castle, Col. Birch and Col. [Page 8] Morgan being active in their commands kept the enemy from drawing in a body, so that without the effusion of much blood we became conque­rours and masters of the garrison. The souldiers strucke with apprehension of the danger be­took themselves to shelter, the citizens knew no refuge, but kept themselves close in their houses, and he thought himselfe most happy that could secure himselfe till the storme was past, the two governours preventing with their utmost power the citizens generall losse and ruine. The gar­rison thus by policy and force surprised without remedy was plundered, neither could the com­manders rhetoricke or threat prevaile with the souldier to keepe their hands from pillage. The number and quality of the prisoners, as also the Ordnance and Armes taken, I am as yet uncap­able to expresse, but in the generality I presume it was the largest prize taken since these warres began; to attribute that to man which is proper to God argues a sinne as high as presumption. Gods finger points out that line the which not­withstanding all windings man must follow; and since weak mens policy hath atchieved that great mens power from other Nations could not accomplish, we are more bound to God in [Page 9] the strong linkes of constant gratitude, and vvith an acknowledgement: we must conclude, the strongest Cities that are most and best fortified by art and nature are easily taken if assaulted by the Generall of Heaven.