House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 29 October 1644

DIE Martis, 29 die Octobris.

PRAYERS, by Mr. Bowles.

Ds. Grey de Warke, Speaker.

Answer from the H. C.

Sir Edward Leech, &c. sent with a Message Yesterday to the House of Commons, return with this Answer:

That they will send an Answer, by Messengers of their own, concerning Mrs. Ferrer's Petition, and concerning The Chayne in The Ould Pallace.

The Lord Admiral acquainted the House with a Letter sent to the Committee of both Kingdoms, as followeth:

Letter, giving an Account of an Action with the King's Forces near Newbury.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"As we wrote in our last Letter, and as we repeat lest that should miscarry, Yesterday about Four of the Clock those Forces which went from Thatcham towards Newbury, by the Way of Wickham Heath, and were there drawn up, set upon a Work and Breastwork, well guarded with Ordnance, Horse, and Foot, which commanded all the Ways which lead to that Side of the Field betwixt Newbury and Dennington Castle, where the King's Army was drawn up: The Works were made strong, although they had but little Time; that the gaining of them would have lost much Time, and been doubtful, if the Foot (amongst whom my Lord General's particular Forces deserved very well) had not with extraordinary Resolution stormed them, which they did within an Hour after the First Charge. Upon their unexpected Entrance into the Works, their Foot, which secured them, all run, and left the Ordnance that were placed in and about the Works. Major General Skippon hazarded himself too much, Sir Wm. Balfore used great Diligence, there being but few Field Officers of Horse. Sir Wm. Waller, Sir Arthur Hesilrigg, Sir James Harrington, Lieutenant General Middleton, Lieutenant General Cromwell, Major General Crawford, Major General Holborne, Colonel Greeves, and divers others, did very good Service.

"The Earl of Manchester, about Four of the Clock, endeavoured to force a Passage through Shaw, a Village on the other Side of the Field, where the King's Forces lay. Prince Maurice was on that Side, and many of the King's best Foot, who maintained those Passes, although they were very bravely assaulted. The Earl of Manchester, for Want of Day-light, and by reason of the great Guards, did not take the Passages; but his employing so many of the King's Forces on that Side was of great Advantage to our other Forces.

"The Battle lasted about Three Hours; they fought at least an Hour by Moon-shine. The Earl of Manchester and those on the other Side were ignorant of each other's Success till the next Morning. The Earl of Cleveland was taken Prisoner, and is sent up to London; and, as we hear, Colonel Goring's Younger Brother was slain. Captain Galler, One of my Lord General's Captains, was slain. Our Side took Nine Pieces of Ordnance. Major General guesseth, that the Number slain on both Sides were between Two and Three Hundred. The King's Forces were all gone before this Morning; some few Carts were left in the Field, but the Carriages were put into Dennington Castle, and so near it that they could not be taken off. All our Horse and Dragooners, except One Thousand which stay with the Earl of Manchester, are gone after the King's Forces, which we hear are gone toward Walling ford. We desire you to take into your Consideration how the Foot Army shall be disposed, and how they may be provided for. None of your Provisions are as yet come, but we hope will be shortly. We desire to give God the Glory of this Victory, it being His Work, and upon His Day. The Earl of Manchester marcheth To-morrow to Blewbury.

"We rest, my Lords,

"Your Lordships humble Servants,

Newbury, 28 of October, 1644.

A. Johnston.
Jo. Grewe.

"We earnestly intreat you to take Care that the Want of Chirurgeons may be supplied; it is a miserable Thing to see Men want Means of Cure, who have been wounded in the Defence of the Public."

Directed thus,

"For the Right Honourable the Committee of both Kingdoms. These. At Derby House."

Message from the H. C. with Propositions concerning London.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Reynolds:

1. To present to their Lordships some Propositions in Behalf of the City of London, to be tendered to the King with the rest; which Propositions the House of Commons have debated, and Agreed to, and desire their Lordships Concurrence therein.

and with an Order and an Ordinance.

2. To desire Concurrence in an Order for providing a House for Captain Parsons. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

3. An Ordinance for issuing out Six Thousand Pounds, out of the Excise, for the Use of the Navy.

(Here enter it.)

Read, and Agreed to.

The Propositions concerning the City of London were read Once.

The Answer returned was:

Answer.

That this House agrees to the Ordinance concerning Six Thousand Pounds, and the Order concerning Mr. Parsons: To the Propositions concerning the City of London, their Lordships will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Fast to be observed.

Ordered, That the Peers do meet in this House To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, and go to the Abby Church, and celebrate the Fast.

Order for Furniture for a House for Captain Parsons.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, That it be referred to the Committee of Sequestrations at Campden House and Westm. and they are hereby desired and required, to accommodate Captain William Parsons, a Commissioner from the Protestants in Ireland, and despoiled of all he had there, with Houshold Stuff convenient for the furnishing of an House for him and his Family to dwell in."

Order for the Commissioners of Excise to reimburse themselves 6000 l, advanced for the Navy.

"Whereas John Towse Esquire, Alderman of the City of London, and the rest of the Commissioners of Excise and new Impost, have advanced and lent the Sum of Six Thousand Pounds, for the Use of the Navy: Be it Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the said Commissioners of Excise shall satisfy and reimburse themselves the said Six Thousand Pounds, together with Interest for the same after the Rate of Eight per Cent. for so long Time as the same or any Part thereof shall be forborn, out of such Intervals of Receipts of Monies upon the Office of Excise of Flesh, Victuals, and Salt, as shall happen when other Payments shall not fall due, or, for Want of such Intervals, then as the Reimbursement thereof follow in Course; and shall not, by any other Order or Ordinance of One or both Houses of Parliament, be debarred from satisfying themselves accordingly; and the Receipts of Sir Henry Vane Junior, Knight, Treasurer of the Navy, shall be a sufficient Discharge for the said Six Thousand Pounds, to the said Commissioners in that Behalf."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.