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CHAPTER XI.

THE SIEGE OF BRISTOL.

RUPERT did not remain long idle at Court after his triumphant return there with the Queen. On July 18th he set out for the West of England. Sir William Waller, who commanded the Roundheads in that district, was a brave, wise, and successful general, and he was then doing so much mischief to the cause of the King in the west-country that it was determined to send out Rupert against him as quickly as possible. This general was often called William the Conqueror by his friends, on account of the many battles he had won.

Before this time, however, Sir William had been beaten by Prince Maurice at the battle of Roundway Down; this was the victory that had caused such joy to the Court at Oxford upon the return of the King and Queen.

The only objection to Rupert's march to the West seemed to be that Essex with his army still lay near Oxford, and might at any moment attack the King while his nephew was absent. But the Prince could not be everywhere at the same time, though he received letters from all quarters of the kingdom entreating for his presence, and, as we

have already said, it was decided that the march to the West should be undertaken. Rupert was desired, first of all, to repair to Bristol, and get possession of it for the King. It was the second town in the kingdom, and a good seaport, and the Royalists were extremely anxious to get it into

their hands.

Sir Arthur Aston and Colonel Lunsford were appointed to accompany the Prince on this expedition, and they, with their followers, reached Bristol on Sunday, July 23rd. Anyone who takes the pains to observe it, will be surprised to find how frequently the chief battles and struggles of this civil war fell upon, or began, upon a Sunday. At Bristol, Rupert was joined by two other important friends. Prince Maurice had come there to meet his brother, and also a deserter from the Roundheads, Colonel Horatio Cary, came to join the King's service.

But when "William the Conqueror" found that his road was clear, he left Gloucester, and made the best of his way to London, for he wanted very much to make excuses to the Parliament for having been beaten at Roundway Down, and also to complain of Essex for lying so still with his army, instead of coming to help him in the West. Thus, his chief enemy being for the present out of the way, Rupert was able to turn all his attention upon Bristol. Accordingly, on that same Sunday afternoon, the Prince, Sir Arthur Aston, and some others, approached to examine the town. They entered a churchyard which was situated on the side of a hill, just opposite to one of the forts, from which it was separated by

a little valley. The rebels in the town had evidently observed their movements, for presently two or three cannon-balls came tumbling in amidst the gravestones, as though to inquire what the Cavaliers were doing there. The Cavaliers, however, considered it a good position, and, in spite of the cannon-balls, Colonel Washington and some soldiers were ordered to remain there all night.

The fort opposite to them was called Brandon Hill, and was the highest and best of the many that surrounded the town. Bristol itself was built in a hollow, with the forts raised above it all round, so that it was not an easy sort of place to conquer. Altogether, the whole town round measured full five miles, and in the centre stood the old castle of Bristol.

Colonel Fiennes was in command of the garrison, and he had under him 1,800 soldiers. This was not a very large force, and Colonel Fiennes felt rather angry with Sir William Waller for having marched away to London, taking with him so many good fighting-men.

Before midday on Monday, Rupert sent to summon the town for the King; but Colonel Fiennes said he had promised to keep Bristol for the King and Parliament, and could not therefore give it up till brought to the last extremity. The Roundheads often in this manner joined the King's name to that of the Parliament, as though to make their rebellious acts seem more lawful. When the Prince received this provoking answer, be laid aside all hope of a peaceful entrance into Bristol, and the fighting began in good earnest.

Rupert was anxious to finish the business as fast as possible, for early that morning he had received a letter from the poor distracted King, saying that the dreaded Earl of Essex was reported to be drawing near to Oxford, and begging of his nephew to send back as many soldiers as he could spare. This letter was bad enough, but presently there came another, to say that Essex, Lord Grey, and the conquering Sir William Waller, were all marching down upon Oxford together, and the King urged again that soldiers should be sent to him.

But Rupert could not leave his post, though his mind was full of sorrow and anxiety for his dearly beloved uncle. All through Monday the battle raged, and continued through the hours of darkness. A council of war was held on Tuesday, July 25th, and it was settled that a general attack of all the troops should be made upon the town the following day, at the hour of dawn. One of the regulations made at this council was that all the Royalists should, during the assault, go without any handkerchiefs on their necks, so that they might the more easily be known by each other in the confusion of the desperate struggle they expected. They also settled among themselves that their battle cry should be "Oxford," a word which would keep in their memories the beloved King for whom they fought. And not only this, they remembered also that their Queen was then in the shelter of Oxford, together with all the ladies of the Court, the mothers, wives, and sisters of the brave Cavaliers who were now assembled before Bristol. It was

considered, therefore, that the sound even of the word" Oxford" would make the men fight bravely for the sake of those they loved, who were sheltered within her walls.

It had been arranged that a gun was to be fired as a signal for beginning the attack, so that all might commence together; but unfortunately, through some mistake, the Cornishmen on the other side of the town began too soon, and caused some little confusion and hesitation about the general assault. The fighting, however, soon waxed furious; great bravery was shown by the besieged rebels, the loss of life on both sides was lamentably great, and yet the Royalists did not at first appear to gain much decided advantage.

At length, however, the enemy's line was broken, and Colonel Wentworth, with his men, dashed victoriously into the town. A storm of iron slugs and shot fell thick about their heads as they advanced, running to reach the shelter of the walls. Once there, they threw over handgrenades so fast that the men inside were glad to fall back; and the Royalists stormed over the wall, every man helping his fellow, and those inside breaking a passage for their advancing comrades.

The contest in the streets now became close and hot, the Roundheads gallantly disputing every inch of ground, and the very houses being filled by the excited combatants, so that the fight at this time has been described as being like scolding at one another out of windows." Some of the Royalist party wanted to set fire to the ships alongside the city quays, which would soon

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