THE FIRST BATtle at NewburY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 1643 I. A list of those Regiments of Trained-Bands and Auxiliaries of the City of London, which were engaged at II. The Attack on Essex's Rear the day after the First III. The presence of Queen Henrietta Maria at the IV. A case of Witch-murder at Newbury IV. The Discovery of the Coffin and Remains of the Vault of Robert Devereux, third Earl of Essex, in the Chapel of St. John the Baptist in Westminster Abbey, V. Biographical Notices of Officers and others men- VI. Extracts from the Certificates or Returns of those VII. List of the Sequestrators of the Estates of Delinquents, Papists, Spyes, and Intelligencers," for the VII. The Commissioners for raising Money and Forces within the County of Berks, and for Maintenance of VIII. Ship Money IX. State of Public Feeling in the County in 1643 .. IV. Account of the Second Battle of Newbury, from a MS. belonging to the Earl de la Warr IX. Capture of Lady Forth, Countess of Brentford X. Captain Knight's Relation of the Siege of Don- XI. Depositions of Witnesses at the Trial of King Charles I., as to the presence of the King at the Two XII. Biographical Notices of some of the Officers and 212 LIST OF THE PLANS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 1 Portrait of LORD FALKLAND. (Frontispiece.) Opposite title-page. 7 Copy of the COFFIN-PLATE of the EARL OF ESSEX BRENTFORD or BRAINFORD.. 28 38 66 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 |