PROPOSITIONS FOR PEACE: Propounded by the Kings most Excellent Majesty, to the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, and to his Excellency Robert Earl of Essex, Lord Generall of the the true Protestant Army. Together with the Parliaments Answer thereunto. Also Welcome News from the Earle of Bedford, Relating a great Overthrow lately given to the Marquis of Hartford, the said Marquis being dangerously wounded.
LONDON: Printed for Henry Seymour, Septem. 27. 1642.
VICTORIOVS NEVVES FROM The Earle of Bedford.
Declaring his Proceedings against the Marquesse of Hartford, the L. Pawlet, and the
rest of the Cavaleers, since their marching from Shereborn
THe Marquesse of Hartford having information, that a great Number of fresh Supplyes were comming to aid and assist the Earl of Bedford, he forthwith resolved to propound these following particulars, which was to this effect.
By divers Letters I am informed, that His Majesty is now going from Nottingham to Shrewsbury, and so to Worcester, where I am desired by divers Lords resident with His Majesty to withdraw my Forces from hence, and march towards Worcester, to joyne my Forces with the rest which are comming thither.
And when he had propounded these particulars to them, they all most willingly condiscended to his Propositions, being joyfull that they had such an opportunity to betake themselves to flight.
But the Earl of Bedford being then at Dorchester with all his Forces, having information of their intentions, and that he had left the Castle, immediatly made after them, and pursued them with such speed, that on the second dayes march he overtook them, being about two or three of the clocke [Page]in the afternoon, and after some time spent in consultation of many matters of high consequence, concerning the King and Parliament, the Drums beate up for battle, and the Earl of Bedfords Forces made many happy shots against the Enemy, which did very good service and execution against them, but still the skirmish continued very desperate on both sides, each party striving for the day, and indeed for a great while it was very doubtfull to which side it would fall on.
But at the last, being about five of the clock, Captain Balfour withsome others, drew out three hundred Horse, and sive hundred Foot, and charged the Enemy on the left flank and Reer, and performed very good service therein, and as it is credibly reported, the Marquis is wounded, together with many more noble and undanted spirits slain, and after 3. or 4. hours skirmish, the Marquesse retreated, but the Earle doth still pursue them very close.
Propositions for Peace, propounded by the Kings most excellent Maiestie to the Earl of Essex.
THe Kings Majesty having seriously weighed and considered the generall Affairs of this Kingdome, and the present Actions and Passages that are now ready to be put in execution.
His Majesty out of his tender love and affection, that he beares to all his Subjects of this Kingdome, and the manifold and abundance of expressions of love and unity, that he hath oftentimes shewed and expressed to the Subjects of this Iland are manifold, and oftentimes have bin declared to His Subjects of England and Scotland.
Yet neverthelesse, His Majesty seeing that the sword is now ready to bee drawn, and the blood of His Subjects [Page]ready to be spilt, He having for a long time took consultation thereupon, and being now most gratiously pleased to declare His Royall intention and Resolution once more to all His loving Subjects, He propounded these ensuing Propositions to the Honourabie Court of Parliament,
viz.
1. That although there hath beene many bitter and vehement expressions passed betwixt his Honourable Houses, and his Royall Maiesty, yet to save and preserve all his loving Subiects from being involve in a Civill Warre, He is now gratiously pleased to recall the said Proclamations and Declarations, and is desirous to have these distractions brought to a happy end and conclusion.
2. That His Maiesty hath made most reall expressions for the prevention of all the present distractions in this Kingdome, and also the great care he took to avoid the effusion of much innocent bloud.
3. That he hath not forgotten the Parliaments desire, to have his Royall person amongst them, which he will return to London, so soon as the cause of his Removall shall be taken away.
The Parliaments Answer.
Shewing, That they have a hearty desire for the peace of this Kingdome, and do dayly labour and endeavour to preserve the same, desiring his Majesty to return to his great Counsell, and to treat with them, promising not onely safety to his Majesties person, but that they will also make him the most happy and flourishing Monarch, that ever swayed Scepter in these His Dominions.