Not long after his excellency the Earl of Essex came to London, with several of his regiments of horse and foot, who, with much joy were entertained by the citizens. And, on the Lord's-day following, many good ministers, about the City of London, praised God for their safe return to their parents, friends, and masters.

About the 4th of November 1642, at a conference in the Painted Chamber, the Earl of Northumberland, in the name of the whole House of Peers, did acquaint the Commons, that the committee for the safety of the kingdom had some thoughts to send certain propotitions to his Majesty, to prevent the farther effusion of blood, and to re-establish the peace of the kingdom, before which time they held it requisite to acquaint his excellency with it, who returned an answer to the Parlia ment to this effect;

That what he had done was in obedience to the commands of both Houses, and what they should command further he would be careful to obey That he was now with his army, and could not leave his charge, to come, in person, to contribute any thing for his Majesty's honour, and the safety of the kingdom. That he believed the committee had such reasons for those propositions, as were laid on sure grounds; but withal, that he hoped that they had no fear of any weakness of his army, or that the courage of those who stood to it so stoutly, in the late battle, would fail them, if nothing but a second encounter must decide the matter, and end the quarrel.

There was now a treaty for Peace agreed upon on both sides, when behold, on a sudden, unexpected news is brought unto the parliament that the King's and parliament's forces were engaged at Brentford, and that prince Rupert, with about thirteen troops of horse, had (undiscovered to our scouts) taken the advantage of a misty morning, with a full resolution to cut off the forces of the parliament that were quartered thereabouts, and from thence to force his way to London, trusting, that, upon their approach so near unto the city, the malignants would rise in arms, and declare themselves for the King; but it pleased God so in mercy to ordain it, that he fell short of his expectation; for he was so well entertained at Brentford and Turnham-green, by colonel Hollis's regiment, and part of the lord Roberts's regiment, the regiment of colonel Hampden coming also to their assistance, that prince Rupert durst not adventure to make his approaches nearer to the city. And the parliament forthwith dispatched a committee to London, to raise all the forces both of horse and foot, to defend the city, and secure the out-works. Immediately his Excellency the Earl of Essex departed from London, and marched against the enemy, who, at the first shock, over-powered our forces by their number, who were many of them destitute both of powder, and all furniture of war: we lost in that service Serjeant-major Quarles, and Capt. Lacy, and many soldiers of inferior quality. Capt. Lilburn. with some others were taken prisoners: there were diverse of the enemy slain, and many carts laden with their wounded, and their dead; besides, they buried many, very privately, to conceal the ignominy of their great loss.

Immediately after this the lord general caused a bridge to be made of long and flat-bottomed boats, over the river of Thames, from Fulham unto

Putney (a sudden work of war) to prevent, and the better to enable his men to assault the cavaliers in their march from Kingston into the county of Kent, and to oppose them in their further invading the county of Surry.

This bridge, at each end, was fortified with ordnance and musqueteers to defend it from the enemy, who, at that time, had miserably plundered Kingston and some adjacent villages thereunto, and now, being full of the pillage of the towns of Brentford, Kingston, and other places, and not daring to attempt further, they were retiring towards Maidenhead, and from thence to Reading and Oxford, the seat of the court, and the rendezvous of the malignant army during the war.

The parliament (as they had just cause so to do) did, on this, publish a declaration, to testify to the world the carriage of the matter at Brentford, in the time of a treaty for the peace of the kingdom, to the end that all men, discerning how far they had been deceived with fair shows and bare pretences, might now, at last, stand upon their own defence, and their strongest guard, and to associate themselves together to defend and preserve their religion, laws, and liberty of parliament and kingdom; yea, themselves, their wives, and children from rapine and ruin, who were all concerned in the common danger now round about them; on this the counties of this kingdom did begin, by degrees, to associate themselves.

The King having, after this, made another motion for peace, and the parliament having made a fair answer to it; upon some new counsels, his majesty was so impatient as to reply:

That he looked on the parliament's answer, as penned by a malignant party in both houses, whose safety is built upon the ruin of this nation, who have chaced his majesty, his peers, and commons from the parliament; the truth whereof, he said, might appear by the small number left; and, moreover, that they had raised an army to take away his life, and the life of his children, and that these rebels are now come to London; and, since they cannot snatch the crown from his head, they would invite him, tamely, to come up, and to lay it down. And, for the expressions of that accident at Brentford, his majesty hoped (if it be permitted by them to be published) that his declaration would satisfy his people.

The parliament, upon consideration of this, being compelled to look unto themselves, did resolve to forbear all further treaties, and gave order to his excellency, forthwith to advance with his army; and the rather, because, they understood, by an intercepted letter, sent unto Sir Edward Nicholas, that many experienced commanders, and, with them, great provision of money, arms, and ammunition, were designed, from Holland, to land at Newcastle, for the service of the King, and the advancement of this unnatural war.

This did set so sharp an edge on the affections of the city, that, whereas the Parliament did desire them to assist them with a loan of thirtythousand pounds, to pay the army, they cheerfully subscribed to pay in threescore-thousand pounds, and would have made it a far greater sum, to further the lord general, the Earl of Essex, to proceed with his army

to rescue his majesty from the hands of those, who detained him from his people and his parliament.

But the winter did now grow heavy, and immoderate showers of rain had so corrupted the ground, that the body of foot could not march, nor the train of artillery move; therefore, the lord general was inforced to continue in his winter quarters, at Windsor, until the spring; howsoever, our horse did excellent service in the west, under the command of Sir Wm. Waller, and the right honourable the Lord Fairfax, and his renowned son, Sir Thomas Fairfax, atchieved many glorious victories in the north, of which it is not so proper, in this place, to deliver, the story, it being the task of this pen to express only those particular services, in which his excellency was personally present.

The spring now coming on, his excellency, about the middle of April, did quit his winter quarters, and advanced towards Oxford; he seemed to pass by Reading, to render that garrison more secure, and that, the chiefest strength being gone where the chiefest danger did appear, he might take Reading with the more ease and speed; having therefore, wheeled about, he unexpectedly came and sat down before Reading, and sent his trumpeter to the governor to surrender that town unto him, for the service of the King and parliament. Colonel Ashton, who was governor of it, returned a stubborn answer, that he would either keep the town or starve and die in it. Thereupon his excellency, taking compassion of the women and children, which were to undergo the common danger, he sent unto the governor, that they might be suffered to come forth, but this also was refused by the colonel.

Hereupon our soldiers began to intrench themselves, and daily to make their approaches nearer and nearer to the town; his excellency incamped on the west-part thereof betwixt Reading and Oxford, to hinder any relief that might come from Oxford to it. The enemy had many strong out-works, which were defended also by some main bulwarks; from those they continually plied us with their great and small shot, who were not remiss to answer them with advantage. They had in the garrison three thousand soldiers besides townsmen, many pieces of ordnance, and great store of provision and ammunition. The enemy had strongly fortified Causham hill which commands the whole town; from this place, by fine force, they were beaten and driven into their works nearer unto the town. This hill being gained, we instantly raised our batteries on it, which much annoyed the enemy, and, by this means, we got the opportunity with the greater safety, to make our approaches nearer unto their works, and in many places within less than half. a musquet-shot; hereupon the enemy endeavoured to make some sallies, but they were always beaten in with loss. They had planted some ordnance in a steeple, believing that from that height they might play upon our men with more advantage; but our cannon were levelled against it with such dexterity, that both the cannoniers and cannon were quickly buried under the ruins of the steeple. After this, the enemies would not adventure themselves on towers, but kept for the most part in places more secure, our ordnance perpetually beating down the houses, and Colonel Ashton, the governor, being sorely wounded in the head, by the fall of bricks from a battered chimney, which made him the more will

ing to offer the surrender of the town to my lord general, if his soldiers might have the honour to march away with bag and baggage; but his excellency did send him word, that he came for men, and not for the town only.

Whilst this was in agitation, intelligence was received that the King, Prince Rupert, and Prince Maurice were on their advance towards Reading, for the relief of the town; whereupon his Excellency did send out a strong party of horse and dragoons under the command of Colonel Middleton and Colonel Milles, who did beat up the enemies quarters at Dorchester, about seven miles from Oxford, and routed and surprised many of the King's horse, and a regiment of foot under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Vavasor, who was taken prisoner at Kinton, and afterwards released; he was absent in this service, but his captain lieutenant was taken prisoner. The King's standard was again in danger, and about one hundred and forty gallant horse were taken. Howsoever, the King continued his resolution for the raising of the siege at Reading, and, being advanced to Wallingford, he marched from thence towards Reading, with about nine regiments of horse, and nine regiments of foot, and twelve pieces of ordnance. His regiments of foot were but thin and empty. His excellency understanding of the approach of this army, and that his majesty himself and the two German princes were there in person, he commanded, that two regiments should be drawn forth to oppose them, which were the regiments of the Lord Roberts, and the regiment of Colonel Barcley; although the King's whole body of infantry were near, he only sent two regiments of his, the green and the red, to encounter these two regiments.

The fight was fiercely begun about Causham bridge, and on both sides excellent demonstrations of valour and resolution were expressed; at the first charge the Lord Roberts was absent from his regiment, but, hearing that they were engaged with the enemy, he did ride up with all speed unto them, and by his courage and example did admirably serve to expedite and increase the victory; after less than half an hour's fight, the enemy began to give ground, and leave many of their men behind them, and about three hundred arms; their horse also, which came down the hill to assist their foot, were gallantly repulsed, and forced to retreat to the hill from whence they came. There were about one hundred of the enemy slain upon the place, amongst whom Serjeant-major Smith was one, whose pockets being searched, there was found good store of gold. The number which were said to be slain, on our side, are so few, that I am afraid to name them, lest (being too short in my account) I should be accused to dissemble with the truth. I dare not grow too bold on the common report; there is, undoubtedly, a moderation with judgment to be used by all those who undertake to deliver to posterity the actions of their own, or foregoing times, which, whosoever, either through faction or affection, shall wilfully transgress, shall lose the grace of a true historian, and the reputation of an honest man.

The enemy being thus beaten in the field, and retreated unto Wallingford, his excellency, the Earl of Essex, did proceed in the treaty with the governor of Reading, for the surrender of the town. Colonel Bolles, Lieutenant Colonel Thelwell, and Serjeant-major Gilby were sent forth

to treat on the articles for the surrender of it, and the Lord Rochford, Lieutenant Colonel Russel, and Serjeant-major King were sent in as hostages for their safe return. It was desired, in the town, that some might go to the King's army, to acquaint the commander in chief with the terms. This was granted, and, upon the return, his excellency received a letter from Prince Rupert, and not long after it was concluded on, that the town of Reading should be surrendered on these conditions:

I. That the enemy should march away with arms and ammunition, with colours flying, bag and baggage.

II. That those persons, who are not inhabitants, should have liberty to go away with their goods, except such as had been of the army of the parliament.

III. That those goods be excepted from the baggage of the soldiers which had been taken from those who were friends to the parliament, and from the western carriers.

IV. That they should have liberty to march to Wallingford,or Oxford, without any molestation from our forces, provided they offer no assault to any in the way.

V. That they shall carry but four pieces of ordnance, and the town not to be plundered either by them or by the forces of the parliament.

VI. That four and twenty hours be allowed them for the performance of their articles, and that they give up their outworks immediately, and three persons of quality as pledges for the faithful performance of these articles.

Not long after this it pleased Almighty God, to visit the army of the parliament with sickness, by which many of our young men perished, and the rest by reason of their weakness were disabled from doing any great service in the field. His excellency omitted nothing that might give redress unto them. Physick, and whatever else was thought expedient, was sent from London, and care was taken, both for money and cloaths for the soldiers; and, to make our condition yet worse, Sir William Waller had received some loss not far from Bristol, and the Marquis of Newcastle was grown very powerful in the north. In the mean time, the King, having possessed himself of Bristol, was marching up to London with a puissant army; in his way he summoned Gloucester, unwilling to leave any town behind to continue in the power of the parliament, and, Bristol being taken, disdained to sit down before a town and not to carry it; but the courage of the gallant governor, Col. Massey, was so remarkable, that he not only did put a stop to the furious march of the King, who, having gained Gloucester, would have forthwith advanced to London, but, by holding him in play, he gave an opportunity to his excellency to recruit his army, and, under God, was a principal instrument of the safety of this kingdom.

In extraordinary necessities, we do use extraordinary expedients; the trained-bands of the city of London, who, before, were never known to make so long a march out of the city, did now readily consent to lend their best assistance, and, to their eternal honour, prefering the publick,