nis Side through all. Roused myself at last, and prepared for Rest, praying for Strength that my selfish Love may never bee a Hinderance to my beloved Husband in the way of his Duty, but rather that I may give all the Aide that a poore weake Creature may, to one so farre above her in all true Noblenesse. As I beheld the little Face sleeping beside mee, thought what should betide if wee were driven from our Home: how should wee find Shelter for this tender Flower, and the other deare

ones.

March 22,

The Chaplaine, when we met this Morning, with much Respect did offer his Services: he sideth with the Parliament, and I fancy could play the part of Soldier well, other ways than in Spirituall Warfare.

Tuesday.

Had the great Comfort of a Letter dated Nottinghame; my Husband reach'd that Place soone after Sir Anthony March 31, Ereby and the Lord Dungarvon, whom he was to Thursday. meete there: and they presently departed for Yorke. My Husband telleth me that Mr. John Hutchinson boldly opposed the Taking-away the Pouder from the Castle by the Sheriffe for the Kings Use: the which was well nigh accomplished. It did so happen that Mr. Hutchinson chancing to call on the Mayor, was there told that Lord Newark and the Sheriffe were up stairs seeing the Pouder weighed out. A good number of People were gathered together, and told Mr. Hutchinson, if he would stand by them, they would not let it be taken away: and some were minded to go up and tosse the Sheriffe out of the Windowes. Thereupon Mr. Hutchinson went up, and made manfull Remonstrance with the sayd Sheriffe, and they did presently put up their Papers and left the Townes-hall. My Lord had some knowledge of Mr. Hutchinson, and is right glad

o find him a stedfast Friend, on the side of Liberty and Justice.

It is no easie Matter to follow my usuall Employments, and I make some excuse continually to myselfe for April 5, looking towards the Gate, though no Newes is like Tuesday. to arrive yet awhile. The afternoone was fine, and I walked with the Children to Framlingham, and went over great part of the Castle, met there Doctor Sampson, who gave me at considerable length the History thereof. He was in much Concerne for his Friend Mr. Lovekin, the Rector of Ufford, who hath beene plundered of every thing save one Silver-spoone which he did hide in his Sleeve. The Oak-trees hereabout are of great size. The Children were mightily pleased with the Castle and were it not that their Hunger made the thought of Supper well pleasing to them, I should not easily have got them away.

This morning was mild and bright: the Woods clothed in the . soft Greene of early Spring: and the whole Scene April 19, so quiet and beautifull, 'twas sad to reflect how Tuesday. many happy country Places were defaced by the Trampling of Soldiers, and Women and Children

I walk'd

sitting in Terror of Warre at their very Doores. down to blind Betty's Cottage: the Doore stood partly open and as I entered she was seated by the small Fire, her Dresse cleane though homely and worne, and her poore sightlesse Face wearing its accustomed Looke of Contentment: her Lips moved, and she raised up her withered Hand at times, as if in Supplication. She knew my step, and arose to meet mee with her wonted Salutation of Respect and Wellcome: her first Enquiry was to know if I had heard Tydings of the Lord Willoughby: and then of the Children, every particular of their Health. And now shall I reade to you, Betty? I asked: with many Thankes

she express'd the Pleasure it would give. The Chaplaine had not call'd to see her these three Daies: and a Chapter, as she sayd, would be more to her than Meate or Drinke. I read a portion of Isaiah, and afterwards the 15th Chapter of Corinthians: her Remarks thereon, though simple, reminded mee in their Piety and Zeale of my deare Mother. She then begged for the last of Revelations, wherein she doth alway find peculiar Edification and Delight. This poore lone Widow is a living Sermon to mee in her Faith under all her Troubles, which have beene manifold: but they have led her to the true Source of Peace and Consolation.

:

Before I left my Chamber this morning, was told a Messenger had arrived from Aldborough, having come there April 30, by Sea from Hull desiring Speech of mee, saying Saturday. he was from Yorke I did lose no time in seeing him. He sayd the Lord Willoughby had not Time or Meanes to write, but sent mee his Ring as a Token that he who bare it was to be trusted in his Relation of Affaires as they then were. On the 22nd the King sent the Duke of Yorke and Prince Palatine with the Earle of Newport to Hull, without any armed Force, my Lord with them, as if to see the Towne: the Day following, they were to dine with the Mayor: but a little before noon Sir John Hotham was informed the King intended to dine with him that day, and was within 3 or 4 miles of Hull, with 300 Horse and more. He hastened to consult the Aldermen and some others on the Parliament side: and they sent a Messenger beseeching his Majesty not to come, as the Governour could not admit him. But the King advanced: the Bridge was drawn up, and the Gates shut, and the Soldiers stood to their Arms. The King rode up to the Gate, and commanded Sir John to open the Gates: he answered that he was entrusted with the Securing the Towne, and would do his Duty: but if the King pleased, he might enter with 12 Men: this the King

refused. At one of the clock the Duke of Yorke and others with him were allowed to go out. The King stayed there till afternoone, when he gave Sir John Hotham an Houre to consider what he would doe, and retired: then he came backe to the Gate and received the same Answer as before. Thereat he

caused the Herald to proclaime Sir John Hotham a Traitour: and in great Anger and Dissapointment the King went away, and lodged at Beverley. My Husband will remaine at Hull, being appointed with 3 other Commissioners to act with Sir John Hotham. The Parliament have voted thanks to the Governour, and sent an Order for the Ordnance and moste of the Armes to be sent to London. For a short time my deare Husband is employed on a Service of seeming little Danger, but this cannot be for long. The Messenger stayed only for needfull Refreshment, proceeding to London: desired John Armstrong to reward him with liberal hand, and also request him to send us the Perfect Diurnall, or such Paper as he can procure, when he reaches London.

The King, having got possession of the Great Seale, hath issued Proclamations commanding the People in no June 28, way to aide the Parliament: the Parliament doing Tuesday. the same to forbid their aiding the King: what can the poore People do?

There is Rumour that the King hath collected a considerable Force, and is gone to besiege Hull.

The Parliament have issued an Order for the bringing in Money, Plate, Horses, &c., and have named the Earle of Essex Commander of the Army: many Gentlemen of the House of Commons have entered the Service, Lord Grey, Hollis, Sir William Waller, and our good friend the excellent Mr. Hampden.

July 15,
Friday.

The Paper says the Lord Willoughby is made Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; and Mr. Oliver Cromwell, the July 16, Member for Cambridge, is a Colonel: and will Saturday. raise Forces and Money in that County and Norfolk and Suffolk.

Some part of Suffolk has shown itselfe in Favour of the King. Would that my Lord were at Home: yet his Estates lying chiefly in Lincolnshire, his Presence there is doubtlesse important.

Not only have the Wealthier Sort brought in their Money, Silver Goblets, and such like, but poore Women of their small meanes, even to their Silver Bodkins and Thimbles.

The Royal Standard set up in Nottinghame: we heare that the King himself rode up to the Top of the Hill with the Standard Bearer the evening was stormy, and the next morning the Standard was found blown downe; and some say it so happened a second time, and many of the Royalist Party much cast downe by an Event so ominous. Poore King, my Heart pitieth him, as who can help? happy they who are not set in the high places.

The King hath marched towards London: the Parliament, having notice thereof, ordered the Train-bands to September. be in readinesse, and that the City should be fortified with Posts and Chaines: and they say vast numbers of People, even Women and Children, came to the Worke, digging and carrying the Earth to make the new Fortifications.

Whilst that my Lord some while ago was raising and putting into order the Lincolnshire Militia, the King being informed