LIST OF THE PLANS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 2 Portrait of LORD FALKLAND. (Frontispiece.) Opposite title-page. 3 View of DONNINGTON CASTLE 4 Portrait of the EARL OF ESSEX 7 Copy of the COFFIN-PLATE of the EARL OF ESSEX THE FIRST BATTLE AT NEWBURY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 1643. In order to understand the political situation of the precise period of English History under review, a brief description of the previous operations of the hostile armies, which resulted in the Two Battles of Newbury, is necessary, because the narrative will then be rendered more complete. At the same time the means will be provided of rightly estimating the value and effect of these engagements on the fortunes of the two combatants. After the assault of Bristol and its surrender to the Royalists under Prince Rupert, in July, 1643, the King again joined the camp; and, having sent Prince Maurice with a detachment into Devonshire, he deliberated how to employ his remaining forces in an enterprize of moment. Some of his followers proposed that he should march direct to London, where everything was in confusion, though this undertaking, by reason of the great strength of the London Militia or Trained Bands, was thought to be attended with great difficulties; but Gloucester, lying within 20 miles of Bristol, presented a possibly easier conquest. This was the only remaining garrison possessed by the Parliament in the west of the kingdom; and, by interrupting the communications of the royal armies between the south-west and north-east, prevented these from acting in concert. Hence the King at last assented to the plan of besieging this important town. The questionable policy of this measure is thus noticed by one of Charles's most faithful adherents, Sir Philip Warwick;-" One (or the like) councill in both quarters, north and west, soon blasted the prosperity in each place; for the King pitcht upon that fatall resolution, recommended to him, it is said, by the Lord Culpeper (who wanted no loyalty), of beseiging Glocester, who thought it a good policy not to leave a strong towne behind him. But the counsell proved fatall; for had the King at that time resolv'd in himself to have struck at the proud head of London and had had authority enough at that time to have required the Earl of Newcastle to have joyned with him, ......humanely speaking, he had rais'd such confusion among the two Houses and the Londoners, that they had either sent B him his owne terms, or if they had fought him, most probably he had bin victorious......But the King fixes on Gloucester, and the Earle of Newcastle as fatally about the same time setts down before Hull." This was by the advice of Lt.-Gen. King, whose loyalty was suspected. After all, it is by no means certain that Charles' march to London would have been so effectual and so little opposed as it is here taken for granted it would have been. On the 10th August,† the King's army, under his immediate command, occupied the heights above the City of Gloucester. The town was defended by a garrison of only fifteen hundred men, besides the inhabitants; and the Governor (Massey) was peremptorily summoned to surrender, two hours being allowed for an answer. Before the expiration of that time, two deputies from the city, Sergeant-Major ‡ Pudsey and a citizen, presented themselves at the camp. They were pale, thin men, dressed in black, and closely shaven: "We bring to the Majesty," said they, "an answer from the godly city of Gloucester;" and, on being introduced to the King, they read a letter, which ran thus: "We, the inhabitants, magistrates, officers, and soldiers within the garrison of Gloucester unto his Majesty's gracious message return this humble answer, "That we do keep this city, according to our oath and allegiance, to and for the use of his Majesty signified by both houses of Parliament: and are resolved by God's help, to keep this city accordingly." On hearing this brief reply, delivered in a firm, clear tone, and perceiving the strange appearance of the messengers, who stood motionless before the King awaiting his answer, a movement at once of surprise, derision, and anger was about to manifest itself on the part of the courtiers; but Charles, as grave as his enemies, repressed it with a gesture, and dismissed the deputies with these words: "If you expect help you are deceived; Waller is extinct, and Essex cannot come." The deputation had no sooner entered the city, than the inhabitants set fire to the suburbs, and left themselves nothing to defend but what was within the walls. For twenty-six days, from Aug. 10th to Sept. 5th, the citizens, by their indefatigable exertions, frustrated all the efforts of the besiegers. Except a hundred and fifty men kept in reserve, the whole garrison were constantly on foot. In all their labours, in all their dangers, the people took part with the soldiers, the women with their husbands, the children with their mothers. Massey even made frequent sallies, and only three men took *Sir Ph. Warwick's 'Memoires,' pp. 260-2. + The "Old Style" of reckoning was employed in England at this period and long afterwards, though the "New Style" according to the Gregorian Calendar was in general use on the Continent. "Sergeant-Major" formerly signified the officer now styled Major, and the "Sergeant-Major General" was what is now called Major-General. advantage of them to desert. Tired of so long a delay, attended by neither glory nor rest, the royal army in a spirit of revenge licentiously devastated the country round, the officers frequently employing their men to carry off from his house some rich farmer or peaceable freeholder of the other side, who only regained his liberty on payment of ransom." The news of the siege of Gloucester caused the greatest consternation in London; and the Parliament, seeing the absolute necessity of relieving the town as the only means of supporting their cause, now exerted to the utmost their power and authority. Trading was for a time suspended, in order that none should decline military service upon whom the lot should fall. The relief of Gloucester was urged in every pulpit. A force of 8000 horse and 4000 foot was expeditiously put into a condition of marching against the King; and a committee, comprising some of the warmest partisans of war, went to the Earl of Essex on the 4th August to inform him of the measures that had been taken to recruit and make full provision for his army, and to enquire what else he needed. In a word they entrusted the destiny of the country to his hands, with assurance of the complete confidence reposed in him by Parliament. The Earl, in a letter to the Speaker, assured the House he would never desert the cause "as long as I have any blood in my veins, until this kingdom may be made happy by a blessed peace (which is all honest men's prayers) or to have an end by the sword." + On the 24th August the Earl of Essex mustered his forces on Hounslow Heath; and, after a solemn review in the presence of nearly all the Members of both Houses, marched by way of Colnbrook, Beaconsfield, and Aylesbury to the assistance of Gloucester. On the 1st of September he arrived at Brackley Heath, the general rendezvous, where he was joined by a reinforcement of horse and a train of artillery, which brought his force up to about 14,000 men. He then proceeded by way of Bicester, Chipping Norton, and Stow-on-the-Wold; here he was attacked by a detached corps of cavalry under Prince Rupert, who vainly endeavoured to stop him; but the Earl advanced, without suffering himself to be turned from his road, driving the enemy before him. He was already within a few miles of the Royalist Camp, already the King's horse had fallen back on the advanced posts of his infantry, when, in the hope of delaying the Earl, if only for a day, Charles sent him a messenger with proposals of peace. "The Parliament," answered Essex, gave me no commission to treat, but to relieve Gloucester; I will do it, or leave my body beneath its walls!" 'No propositions: no propositions!" shouted the soldiers, when they heard of Clarendon's Hist. of the Rebellion,' vol. ii, p. 341. the arrival of a trumpeter from the King. So Essex continued his march, and on the 5th Sept. he appeared on Prestbury Hills within view of the city. Here the thunder of his cannon announced to the beleaguered citizens that their deliverance had come; and soon the sight of the King's quarters in flames informed them that the siege was raised. The important services performed by Massey and the garrison at Gloucester called forth the thanks of Parliament, who granted £1,000 to the governor, and proportionate largess to the officers and soldiers; and, in order to preserve the memory of the transaction, the 5th of September was ordered by the Mayor and Corporation to be observed as an annual holiday, and was so kept until the Restoration. The south gate of the city, which had been battered down during the siege, was rebuilt the same year, with these mottoes inscribed round the arch: on one side "A CITY ASSAULTED BY MAN, BUT SAVED BY GOD;" and on the other side, next the city, "EVER REMEMBER THE VIH SEPT. 1643—GIVE GOD THE GLORY." At the Restoration these inscriptions were effaced, and the royal arms substituted. The walls and fortifications of the city were destroyed by order of King Charles II.; and that monarch likewise deprived the citizens of their charter, but subsequently granted a new one. Massey eventually left the Parliament's service and joined Prince Charles in Holland, under whose standard he fought at Worcester; but, being taken prisoner, he was committed to the Tower. He managed however to escape, and, after the death of Cromwell, he undertook to seize Gloucester, but was taken in the attempt. A second time he slipped from his captors; and, on the restoration of the secluded Members in 1660, he appeared in Parliament, and represented Gloucester the two following years, in the last of which he was knighted. The easy success gained by Essex in this march may be attributed to supineness on the part of his adversary; but it is probable that, as Clarendon says, the Royalists could not believe he was coming, and "laid their account" in the nearly thirty miles of champaign country that he would have to traverse, after the King's soldiers had eaten it bare; and where, if he attempted the expedition, the royal horse would perpetually infest his march and probably destroy his army.* The day the Parliamentary General entered Gloucester had been set apart for a public fast, but on his arrival it was turned into a day of ardent rejoicing. Provisions of all kinds were conveyed to the city, the Governor Massey and his soldiers were loaded with praise, the citizens congratulated on their courage, and the Earl was received everywhere with demonstrations of gratitude. The march of Essex to Gloucester was considered one of the Clarendon's 'Hist. of the Rebellion,' vol. ii, p. 343. |