THE LATEST RELATION from SHERBURN-CASTLE.

I Know how dangerous it is to write in this time, if my letter be intercepted, and kept close, yet Truth will break out; and indeed I challenge and defie any, which dare lay an untruth to the charge of this Relation, appealing to the conscience of all that know the passage thereof.

On this day sennight being Saterday, the Earl of Bedford appeared before Sherborn Castle, His Forces consisted partly of Devonshire men (whereof some 400. came to D [...]rchester on Tuesday last as I take it, but sure I am, a Minister rode very demurely before them with a Bible in his hand, and many of them by their habit were judged men of good qualitie) as also men of Dorset and Sommersetshire. Many of them advanced slowly and sadly, and you know the Nature of West­countrey men, who most of them holding their means for their lives, were loath to hazard their lives and lifely hood at one adventure.

The men of the Town of Sherborn (presumed to be [Page 2] of the Earl of Bedfords side) declared themselves other­wise, and with their shot did much annoyance to his men▪ There h [...]h passed many skirm [...]shes▪ betwixt the M [...]sse of Hartford's men and the Earl of Bedfords, with the chance of warre; sometimes the one and some­times the other had the better.

At last the Countrey men began to think that Fea­therbeds were better lodging then the hard earth, which made many of them (if you will have it in the best phrase) withdraw themselves away, which I doubt not but will willingly come back again to see an happy agreement betwixt the King and Parliament. The Earl of Bedford with those that were left, discamped; and re­treated to Yevell, (4 little miles from Sherborn) where the Lord Marquesse and the Lord Paulet Bid him Bat­tell, and there followed an hard and hot Encounter, wherein the Marquesse had the best of it.

Sir, I am sorry to report that an hundred men were slain on the Earls side, which I am afraid will prove too true, and the adjacent Towns will dolefully witnesse that I am no lyer▪ many of them were men of qualitie, as appeared by their buriall in the Church of Yevel.

If M. Trenchard; Sir Thomas Trenchards elder sonne, be sl [...]in (as it is credibly reported) I shall be an he [...]vie mourner at his funerall. But should be a hear [...]er re­joycer if he be preserved alive, to do good service for God, his King and Countrey.

On the Marquesses side were slain ten Muskettiers, none men of any qualitie. And he hath taken Captain Hungerford, and eight others, prisoners.

On the other side in the time of their Bickering, the Earl of Bedford took prisoner Captain Bamfeild, and [Page 3] five other of the Marquesses men. And thus we see if these wofull times continue, Parties may mutually get the Conquest; but the whole English Nation, with the Protestant Religion, Church and State, must be a looser.

The Earl of Bedford with his Troops fairly retreated to Dorchester, It is our hopes and our prayers that King and Parliament may so agree, that we may effectually stop the Bleeding Estate of Ireland. And now Sir know I have plaid with you the fore-game in friendship, and expect (how dangerous soever the times be) some re­quitall of London news from you, which I fear will be as sad and sorrowfull as what we have here written.

Another Letter from Sherborn-Castle.

THose mistakings and omissions which hast made in my last Intelligence, I pray cor­rect and supply by these presents.

On Friday last the 2. of this Moneth, the Earle of Bedford pitcht his Siege be­fore Sherbourne, with eight hundred Horse, five thou­sand Foot, with twelve pieces of Ordnance. Those in the Castle were not above six hundred horse and foot, and two small feild Pieces.

On Saturday, the Earle began his Battery, and ap­proached the Towne, wherein many of the Townsmen shooting out of their Windows, kild some few, and wounded more of the Earles men.

On Sunday, those in the Castle hung out the White Flag, desiring rest that day, which the others little re­garding continued their Battery; and this occasioned some shot from the Castle, which tooke no effect, but the hindrance of their worke.

On Munday, many Cannon-shot were made at the Castle, Towne, and Church-Steeple, but with little harme.

Tuesday Morning, the Earle proclaimed a sessation of Armes, and commanded them all to remove their [Page 5] Ammunition and Artillery to Yevell, which that night was done accordingly.

Wednesday betwixt foure and five of the clock in the after-noone, some of the Castle-Troopes went out, onely to take the Ayre, and see what was become of the Earles Armie, wearing no Armes but Swords and Gunnes, and many having but two shots a peece. The Earles men having notice thereof set upon them. Here was hot service, and the Castle-men twice charging so repelled those that assaulted them, that they began to retreat.

But the rest of the Earles Armie endevoured (whi­lest their fellows fought) to get behinde the Castle-Troops, and so to cut them off in their retreat. Where­upon the Castle men desisted from any further charge, and forced their passage through such as lay behinde them home to the Castle, whither they all came safe, saving nine men who were kild upon the place, and five taken prisoners, whereof Sergeant Major Bamfeild was one.

One of the nine slaine was a Dorset shire Gentleman Captain H: Hussey, whilst they had him at their mer­cy, they most barbarously cut off his members, and then did him the favour to kill him.

Of the Earles side the losse was great, but uncertain, the River hard by buried many of them, as appeareth by divers Horses since fou [...]d floating in it, and seaven men of that Company were openly buried in Yevell-Church the next morning; and they say many buried privately in a Hill there by, which how true it is, God knowes: Thirtie of their Horses were taken and car­ried [Page 6] to the Castle; and with them seaven taken priso­ners, whereof Captain Hungerford was chiefe.

Thursday, the Earles Forces were dismissed by his Command, and dispersed themselves, whilest he him­selfe retreated to Dortchester.

I had almost forgotten a sad Accident. Whilest the Devonshire-men were distributing their Powder, and ready to besiege the Castle, two Barrells taking fire, kild some men, scald and maimd many, to the number of sixteene.

God turne our swords into sythes, that leaving all acts of Hostilitie, we may peaceably receive the fruits of the Earth. Helpe us with your Prayers to GOD, that by the agreement of King and Parliament, we may enjoy a happy peace.