TO the end future Ages may be rightly informed, and duly sensible of the mer­cies and blessings of the Almighty [Page 6]bestowed upon our late Sovereign Lord of happy Memory King Charles II. and in him, upon the whole Nation, by the signal preser­vation of his Sacred Life and Per­son, from the Hands of the Rebels after the defeat of his Army at Worcester. We shall here, to the Glory of God the Protector of Princes, briefly set forth with all plainness and sincerity, such parti­cular Passages and Circumstances as occurred immediately before, or during the time of the refuge and safety he found in his greatest dan­ger and exigence at Mr. Whitgraves House at Moseley.

Please therefore to know, That His Majesties Army being on Wed­nesday the third of September (51.) wholly defeated at Worcester; his Friends dispersed; and Enemies in full pursuit of their Victory; The King conducted by Collonel Charles Gyf­ford, [Page 7]and accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Shrews­bury, Earl of Derby, Lord Wilmot, Mr. Peter Street, and others, retired on Thursday Morning to a House called White-Ladies, then appertain­ing to Mistris Cotton Widow, and now the Inheritance of her Son-in-Law Basil Fitz-herbert Esquire, in Staffordshire. There His Majesty changed his Habit, cut his Hair, and transformed himself into the dress of a Country Peasant; thus disguised, he dismissed all his Re­tinue, and committed his Person to the Fidelity of the Pendrells, poor Catholics, and labouring men, at, or about White-Ladies; with one of these Pendrels, named Ri­chard, the King spent the rest of the day in a Neighbouring Wood, and at night attended only by the same Richard, set forwards his Journey towards Madeley in Shrop­shire, [Page 8]with intention to pass over the River Severn into Wales, for the Recruit of his Army; but ar­riving near to the River side, he was informed by Mr. Wolfe a Ca­tholic at Madeley, that all the Fords and Passages were so strongly guarded and obstructed, there was no possibility of effect­ing his design; so that in this ex­tremity, he was forced after ha­ving absconded all Friday in a cer­tain Barn of the said Mr. Wolfes to come back the next Night, and re­gain his former Asylum at ano­ther House of Mr. Fitzherberts, called Boscobel, Tenanted by Wil­liam Pendrel, Brother to Richard, and adjoining to White-Ladies. During this interval, those Per­sons of Quality whom the King had dismissed from White-Ladies, endeavoured each one the best he could to provide for his own safety.

Amongst others, the Lord Wilmot conjecturing the open ways least ob­noxious to suspition, departed the same Thursday in the forenoon from White-Ladies, and took along with him John another Brother of the Pen­drels, as a Guide into the common Road between York and London, but he soon perceived himself dis­appointed of his expectations herein, for the whole Country was Alarmed; The Enemy every where in pursuit; The Avenues on all sides blocked up, and searches re­doubled by a promised Reward of One thousand pounds to any one who would discover the King. Wherefore my Lord justly despair­ing of success that way, took re­fuge in the House of one Mr. Hunthatch of Brinford, near Mose­ley, about four Miles from White-Laides, and sheltered his Horses in [Page 10]a ruin'd Barn of a poor Cottager not far from thence. But this place affording him little or no hopes of rest or safety, he sent his Guide John to Wolverhampton, in quest of some more secure Re­ceptacle. Here also John miscar­rying, and frustrated wholly of all Relief; in his return to my Lord, by the singular conduct of Divine Providence, met with Mr. Hudleston at a Place called Northcore, John knew both the Person, Religion, and Character of Mr. Hudleston, and therefore with an assured Considence related unto him; how the day before the Kings Army had been utterly routed at Worcester; how that ve­ry Morning the King himself with other great Persons had come in Private to White-Ladies, how the King had been there disgui­sed, had dismissed his Followers, [Page 11]and was retired he knew not whi­ther with his Brother Richard. How he had endeavoured to help a brave Person towards his escape into York and London Road, but not being able to compass it, nor get any Harbor for him either at Ham­pton or elsewhere, he had left him at Mr. Huntbatch's at Brinford near Moseley, where he would be most certainly discovered, unless Mr. Hudleston could prevail with his Landlord (Mr. Whitgrave) to re­ceive him, and conceal him in his House. Hereupon Mr. Hudleston carried John to his Chamber, im­parted the Affair to Mr. Whitgrave, who touched with a sence of com­passion and Generosity, willingly undertook the care (however dan­gerous to himself) of the distressed Lord's Concealment and Protecti­on; accordingly Mr. Whitgrave without farther delay waited up­on [Page 12]my Lord at Brinford, comfort­ed and encouraged him by his promised Assistance, and in fine, ordered matters so, that at ten a Clock in the Night my Lord was safely brought to his retirement at Moseley; the only difficulty re­maining was how to dispose of my Lords two Horses; a thing not to be disregarded, both because they would be necessary for my Lords farther Progress, as also for that either standing as they did exposed in an open Barn, or being brought to Mr. Whitgraves Stables adjoin­ing and obvious to the common Street, their being detected, would occasion a disclosing of the whole grcret; To remedy this Mr. Whit­grave sent a trusty Person to Col­lonel Lane at Bently, about three miles from Moseley, acquainted him with my Lords arrival, and desired him for some little time [Page 13]to secure my Lords Horses. The Collonel who had formerly serv­ed under my Lord in the Wars, not only readily complyed herein, but the same Night gave my Lord a private Visit, and kindly invi­ted him to his House, as the more secure place, adding, That his Si­ster Mistris Jane Lane, had procu­red a Pass from the Governor of Stafford, for her self and a Servant to go to Bristow, by virtue of which Pass, he might as his Sisters Servant, get clear out of the Country. My Lord thanked him for his Civility, but said, he was well satisfied with his present Quarters; Yet withal entreated the Collonel he would keep the Opportunity of his Sisters Pass, and retain his Horses till he heard from him again. Thus they took leave of each other, and the Collo­nel returned home.

The next day being Friday, his Lordship sent John Pendrel to learn what was become of the King, and what had passed at White-Ladies: John returning the same Night, brought word, That the King went the night before with his Brother Richard towards Se­vern, designing to pass over into Wales. Upon this information, my Lord resolved to accept of the proffered benefit of Mistris Lanes Pass, and accordingly next Morning being Saturday, he desi­red Mr. Whitgrave to send to Col­lonel Lanes for his Horses. He dis­missed John in the afternoon home to White-Ladies; and the Horses arriving at a certain Place and time apointed, about Midnight he took leave of Mr. Whitgrave with all due expressions of Gratitude and kindness, and so departed to Bently.

Saturday, And now my Lord be­ing gone, Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston entertained themselves with thoughts and sollicitudes con­cerning the King; They had heard nothing of him all that day. The last intelligence brought by John from White-Ladies on Friday was, That the King was gone the night before with Richard towards Severn, for Wales; but what suc­cess he had, or what was become of him since, they knew not, wherefore anxious between hopes and fears for his Majesties safety, they resolved to go the next day being Sunday to White-Ladies for their farther satisfaction; whilst they were thus determined, and walking together very early on the backside of the Orchard on Sunday Morning; They were surprized to see John Pendrel un­expectedly coming towards them, [Page 16]and approaching them with a frightful Countenance, and much impetuosity asked, where is my Lord? They told him, His Lordship was gone; Then (says the poor man in great consterna­tion) we are all undone; For the King finding the Passages over Severn all guarded with Soldiers, and no possibility of getting into Wales, is come back to Boscobel; And we know not what to do with him, or how to dispose of him. He hath been for the most part since his Return concealed in a Tree (now called the Royal Oak) with Collonel Carloes in Boscobel Wood, but searches are every where made, and the King is much dejected, having no hopes or pro­spect of redress, wherefore under­standing from me I had left my Lord Wilmot here, he hath sent me to him with orders he should [Page 17]take some speedy course for his re­moval and security with him. Upon this sad relation of John's, Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston deeply moved at the Kings dan­ger and Calamity, having first of­fered to God their Sunday Duty for his Majesties safety, accompa­nied John to my Lord at Bentley, where being admitted to his Lord­ship, it was upon mature delibe­ration Resolved. That my Lord should come back about Eleven at Night to Moseley, in order to the waiting upon the King there. That John should return to Boscobel, and from thence con­duct his Majesty to a certain ap­pointed Station near Mr. Whit­graves House, where Mr. Hudle­ston was to attend and receive him.

And what was thus designed, was [Page 18]accordingly executed; My Lord came, and was conducted by Mr. Whitgrave to his Chamber; And some few hours after, the King attended by John, and two or three more of the Pendrel Brothers, ar­rived on a Mill Horse near Mr. Hudleston's Station, where Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston both waited for him; Upon his arrival he was immediately conducted to my Lord, who with some impati­ence expected him in his Chamber. The King being thus by Gods blessing safely introduced into the House, after some private discourse had between him and my Lord, His Lordship addressing himself to Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudle­ston, said, Gentlemen, the Person whom you see here under this Dis­guise, is both your Master and mine, and the Master to whom we all owe our Duty and Allegiance; upon [Page 19]which they both kneeling down, His Majesty admitted them to the honor of kissing his Hand; Then bidding them arise, told them, He had received from my Lord so good a Character of their Loyalty, and readiness to serve, and assist him, and his Friends in those dangers, that he would never be unmindful of them, nor theirs. Immediately af­ter he asked, where is the private Place my Lord speaks of? They then shewed him the place of his retreat for avoiding surprisals, which having seen, entred into, and much approved of, he return­ed to his Chamber. He then sat him down on his Bedside, and Mr. Whitgrave presented him with a little Biscake Bread, and a Glass of Sack, which he took; whilst he thus sat, his Nose bled; at this ac­cident Mr. Hudleston seemed con­cerned, but His Majesty said it [Page 20]was usual with him; then taking out of his Pocket an old course Clout which the Pendrels had given him instead of a Handkerchief, he received the Blood into it, Mr. Hudleston then presented him with a fair Handkerchief, and kept the bloody Clout to himself. Af­ter this the King went to the Fire­side, sat down in a Chair, and gave Mr. Hudleston leave to pull off his Stockings and Shoes, stuffed within with White Paper, but yet so un­easie, wet, and full of Gravel, they had extreamly enflamed and galled his Feet.

Here it may not be unpleasant to some, if we briefly describe part of the Rustick Habit under which the King was disguised, he had on a long white Steeple crowned Hat, without other [...]ming than Grease, both sides of the Brim so doubled with handling, they looked like [Page 21]two Spouts; a Leather Doublet full of holes, and half black with Grease above the Sleeves, Collan, and Wast. An old green Wood­riffs Coat threadbare, and patch'd in most places, with a pair of Breeches of the same Cloth, and in the same condition, the slops hang­ing down loose to the middle of his Legg; Hose and Shoes of dif­ferent Parishes; The Hose were grey, Stirrups much derned, and clouted, especially about the knees, under which he had a pair of Flan­nel riding Stockings of his own, with the tops cut off; His Shoes had been cobled with Leather patches both on the Soals and Seams, and the Upperleathers so cut and slashed to adapt them to his Feet, they could no longer de­fend him either from Water or Dirt. This exotick and deformed Dress added to his short Hair cut [Page 22]of by the Ears, his Face coloured brown with Walnut-tree-leaves, and a rough crooked-Thorn-Stick in his Hand, had so metamorpho­sed him, he became scarce discern­able who he was, even to those that had been before acquainted with his Person, and conversant with him.

Mr. Hudleston having cleansed and dryed his Feet with warm Cloths, put on new Linnen and Worsted Stockings, and accommo­dated him with Slippers, and other things necessary for his ease, His Majesty became thereby much re­freshed and chearful, saying, He was now fit for a new March; ad­ding also, If it should ever please God to bless him with Ten or Twelve thousand Loyal and resolute Men, he doubted not but to drive these Traitors out of his Kingdom. After [Page 23]an hour or two's discourse with my Lord Wilmot, in deliberation of what seem'd most expedient in the present conjuncture, it being now about five in the Morning, His Majesty desired to repose on his Bed, and the Pendrels, all but John, were dismissed home.

Munday, Upon the Kings first change of Apparel at White-Ladies, they had put him on a course patch'd harden Shirt, which by its roughness extremely incommo­ded him, and hindred his rest. This Mr. Hudleston observing, prevailed with him to accept of a new Holland Shirt of his own, and reserved for a Memorial the course one to himself.

For the better security of his Majesties Retreat, Mr. Whitgrave sent forth all his Servants betimes [Page 24]in the Morning, each to their se­veral Employments abroad, except one Cook Maid a Catholic, who dressed their Dyet; And it was farther pretended, Mr. Hudleston had a Cavalier Friend, or Relati­on, newly escaped from Worcester, who lay privately in his Chamber unwilling to be seen. So that this grand secret was imparted to none in the House, but Mr. Whitgrave, Mr. Hudleston, and Mr. Whitgraves Mother, whom my Lord Wilmot presented to the King; And whom his Majesty graciously Saluted, and confided in.

At that time Mr. Hudleston had with him at Moseley under his Tu­ition, young Sir John Preston, and two other Youths, Mr. Thomas Pa­lin, and Mr. Francis Reynolds, Ne­phews to Mr. Whitgrave, these he placed at several Windows in the [Page 25]Garrets from whence they had a prospect of all the Passages from all parts to the House, with strict charge given them to bring timely notice of any, whether Soldiers or others that came near the House, and herein the Boys were as ex­act and vigilant as any Centinel could be on his Guard. It is now Munday in the Forenoon, and John is ordered to go to Bentley, with directions to Collonel Lane to send my Lords Horses at Night to Moseley to convey his Lordship back to Bentley. His Majesty eat constantly in Mr. Hudlestons Cham­ber: Mr. Whitgrave himself hand­ing up all the Dishes from below Stairs to Mr. Hudleston's Chamber door. And Mr. Hudleston placing them on the Table; when all things were brought up, old Mistris Whitgrave was called in, and com­manded to sit down and Carve, [Page 26]whilst Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hu­dleston waited behind the King.

This day His Majesty spent part­ly in reposing and refreshing him­self from the Fatigues of his for­mer Journeys and hardships, and partly in recapitulating the late Transactions; and taking a View of the present posture of Affairs. He recounted his proceedings in Scotland, and described the me­thods of his March from thence to Worcester. He inquired how the Gentlemen of the Country were affected towards him, and sent Mr. Whitgrave to Wolverhampton to get intelligence of Affairs; sometimes he entertained himself at a Window opening to the com­mon Street, from whence he had the deplorable sight of divers of his own poor Soldiers, even of those whom he knew of his own [Page 27]Regiment, the sad remains of Worcester Fight; some of these had in their Hands Pease in the Straw, gathered from the Field-sides as they came along, others were eating Cabbage-Stalks and Leaves which were thrown out of Gar­dens into the High-Ways, not da­ring so much as to beg for Food. Others again wounded and maim­ed, sought for Relief at the Door, whose Sores Mistris Whitgrave with great tenderness and Charity dressed.

At Night my Lord Wilmot's Horses arrived as was appointed from Bentley, whither his Lord­ship accordingly returned with farther directions, That Collonel Lane should the next Night fol­lowing, himself bring the Horses back to Moseley, in order to the Conveyance of his Majesty to [Page 28] Bentley. The King intending to take the benefit profered to my Lord Wilmot of Mistris Jane Lane's forementioned Pass, to quit the Country.

The next day, viz. Tuesday, the King conversed for the most part with Mr. Hudleston; Mr. Whit­grave, and his Mother, being em­ployed in the discharge of their several duties towards his Maje­sties accommodation, and safe­guard below stairs. He was pleas­ed to enquire how Roman Catho­lics lived under the present Usurp­ed Government; Mr. Hudleston told him they were Persecuted on account both of their Religion and Loyalty; yet his Majesty should see they did not neglect the Duties of their Church; hereup­on he carried him up Stairs, and shewed him the Chappel, little, [Page 29]but neat and decent. The King looking respectfully upon the Al­tar, and regarding the Crucifix and Candlesticks upon it, said; He had an Altar, Crucifix and Silver Candlesticks of his own, till my Lord of Holland brake them, which (ad­ded the King) he hath now paid for. His Majesty spent likewise some­time in perusing Mr. Hudleston's Books, amongst which attentively reading a short Manuscript writ by Mr. Richard Hudleston, a Bene­dictine Monk, Entitled, A Short and Plain Way to the Faith and Church; He expressed his Senti­ments of it in these positive Words. I have not seen any thing more plain and clear upon this Subject. The Arguments here drawn from Succession, are so conclusive; I do not conceive how they can be denyed. He also took a view of Mr. Tur­bervill's Catechism, and said, it was a [Page 30]pretty Book, and he would take it along with him.

This afternoon a Party of the Rebels unexpectedly came to search Moseley for Mr. Whitgrave; their approach was timely discovered, and a Servant came running up Stairs towards the Chamber where the King lay, and cryed out Soldi­ers, Soldiers are coming; upon this Alarm the King was immedi­ately conveyed by Mr. Whitgrave into the Private place, or Recepta­cle before mentioned, which al­ways stood open and ready in case of contingencies for his Maje­sties Retreat. And Mr. Whit­grave to prevent farther search, and thereby to secure the King from hazard of Discovery, gene­rously went down, and exposed himself to the sight and sury of the Soldiers, who violently seised upon [Page 31]him, and would have hurried him to Prison, as a Person engaged for the King in Worcester Fight; but he assured them he had been a long time sick and infirm at home, and called in the Neighbours to attest the same, wherefore after much dispute, they at length let him go and departed. When they had quitted the Town and not before, Mr. Whitgrave returned, and with Mr. Hudleston, helped the King out of his Confinement, and attended him in his Chamber. Mr. Hudle­ston knew the King was acquainted with his Character and Function, and consequently also of his being obnoctious to the Sanguinary Laws, and therefore said, Your Majesty is in some sort in the same condition with me now, lyable to dangers and perils, but I hope God that brought you hither, will preserve you here. And that You will be as safe in this [Page 32]place, as in any Castle of Your Domi­nions.

The King addressing himself both to Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston, Replyed, If it please God I come to my Crown, both you, and all of your Perswasion, shall have as much liberty as any of my Subjects.

It is now Tuesday Night, and the hour of His Majesties departure from Moseley approaches. At twelve a Clock Mr. Whitgrave informed his Majesty that Collonel Lane at­tended at the place appointed, with the Horses to conduct him to Bent­ley. His Majesty then with all the resentments of Kindness and Grati­tude for their Fidelity, and indefa­tigable care, day and night in his Service, bid adieu to Mr. Whit­grave, his Mother, and Mr. Hudle­ston; they kneeling down, begged [Page 33]his Majesties pardon for any mi­ [...]takes they might have committed through ignorance or inadvertency in discharge of their Duty. And thus accompanied by Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston, the King went down to the corner of the Orchard, where the Collonel expected with the Horses, Mr. Hudleston reflecting on the coldness of the season, and thinness of his Majesties Disguise, humbly implored he would vouch­safe to accept of his Cloak for a Protection from the severity of the Weather. The King put it on; Then again they all making their Obeisance, and with tears implo­ring the Divine Goodness for his Majesties safeguard, the King mounted, and came that Night to Bentley. From whence by means of the above mentioned Pass of Mistris Lane, he escaped under the notion of her Servant out of the [Page 34]Country and Nation, remaining b [...] ­yond the Seas till the time of hi [...] no less wonderful Restauration.

This is the sum of the signal Preservation of the Sacred Life and Person of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles II. at Moseley, wherein the Almighty Hand of God is clearly manifest, not only in the Preservation it self, but also in effecting the same by Means so weak, and disproportionable to the End. To him be Honor and Glo­ry for ever. Amen.