CHAPTER XII. ND leaving him, I must make some knight named by the Parliament at the same time with this Sir William, who shall be mentioned no more. Sir George soon conceived a most fierce disgust for their cause, and became one of the most zealous agents in the Restoration, so that in July 1659 he got possession of Chester city, but was not able to remain there (the enemy having the castle, and the fortifications and walls being destroyed and dismantled); still, he fought against Lambert with much bravery at Winnington-bridge, though of not so much service to the King as to himself, serving to wash out somewhat of the stain which cleaved to him from former years. Truly would that verse in Holy Writ be of great solace to him and such as him,— 'There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.' Grateful, very grateful, am I to have my dear lord among the ninety and nine which need no repentance for their conduct to their King. Yet, Marjory Shakerley, be not like unto the proud Pharisee, thanking God thou art not such as others, but bethink thee, how many other points in thy dear lord, and especial in thine own self, need repenting of before the King of kings, and pray the angels may have joy of thee both at the last. Even so will I. Amen. There was taken, at this defeat of Sir George Booth, and brought into Chester as prisoners by Lambert, ninety-three persons of quality, among whom was the brother of Sir George and another Booth, Lord Kilmorey and his brother, three Egertons (one Captain Philip Egerton, of Oulton), one Grosvenor, son to Sir Richard, three Cottons, being two of Combermere and one of Cotton; two Cholmondeleys of Vale Royal, one Stanley of Hooton, Tatton of Withenshaw, Leech of Carden, Colonel Edward Done, and many others. Sir George was himself taken, disguised in woman's clothes, but he acted the gentlewoman not so well but that he was soon suspected and taken to the Tower. Now hath he been made Baron of Delamere by his Majesty. And why should I not make mention of such Cheshire knights and families as have been true and faithful to their King, having stained my pages with the record of such as did the contrary? Truly I know not where to commence ! Yet will I, lest I should seem to place some before others, where all did well, start with the names as the letters go, in which case none can take umbrage at me, should they hereafter read my poor words from over-leisure, or lack of wiser thoughts. And so, with the first letter, cometh Sir Arthur Aston of Aston and Cattenhall, into my mind. He, after learning warfare out of England in his youth, declared for the King so soon as the troubles began, and fought at Edgehill gallantly. Afterwards being governor of Reading, he thrice foiled the attempts of the Earl of Essex, but received a bad wound in his head, the which Sir Edward Hyde accounted a great misfortune to the King, there not being, he saith, a man of greater reputation in his army, nor one of whom the enemy had a greater dread. Afterward at Oxford had he the misfortune to lose his leg, nevertheless he gave not in, but getting one made in wood as like as might be to his own lost limb, he made shift with it for his Majesty's service, until the siege of Tredagh or Drogheda in Ireland, 1655, where all the royalist garrison, after having surrendered on conditions, was put to the sword, no women nor children being spared, and this brave soldier's brains were most barbarously beaten out with this very wooden leg. Sir Thomas Aston, cousin to the above, was, though loyal, never very fortunate, except at Tarvin, where he defeated the rebels from Nantwich, so that they fled over Delamere Forest back again with great precipitation. Sir Thomas was defeated near to Nantwich by Sir William Brereton, and afterwards in another fight in Staffordshire was taken prisoner and brought to Stafford, whence endeavouring to escape, a soldier espying him, gave him a blow on the head, which, with his other wounds combined, threw him into a fever, wherewith he died not long after, March 1645, and was buried at his own chapel at Aston, which he had procured to be consecrated by the Bishop, and of which he had repaired the chancel very handsomely but a few years back. Aldersey, of Aldersey and Spurstow, was loyal. He was one of the ninety-three prisoners taken by Lambert. And after the Lord Brereton of Brereton, whom I have already named, will I mention Mr. William Barnston of Churton, a man of great worth. He ventured his life and fortune with the King, and being taken prisoner, was kept in London until he paid nigh six hundred pounds for his own estate, after which he was released. Peter Brooke of the Brookes of Norton, bought Mere of John and William Mere, they |