House of Lords Journal Volume 5: 25 August 1642

DIE Jovis, 25 Augusti.

PRAYERS.

Lord Kymbolton, Speaker.

Relation about Coventry.

The Lord General made some Relation of the present Business at Coventry, and delivered a Letter to be read, in bæc verba: videlicet, (Here enter it.)

Ordered, That the Speaker shall send them Thanks, from the Houses of Parliament, by Letters.

Curtis and others, Petition for Employment.

The Petition of one John Curtis and others, Masters of Ships, desiring Employment in their Calling, was read; which was approved of by the House, and recommended to the Lord General, and the rest of the Committee for the Defence of this Kingdom.

Sanderford hired to kill the E. of Essex.

The House was informed, "That one Edward Sanderford, a Taylor, was hired to kill the Earl of Essex; and that he was to be allowed Three Shillings and Six Pence per Diem, until he had effected it; who, being in Prison upon the Examination of the said Business, petitioned now the Lords for his Releasement."

To be examined.

Ordered, That the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench shall send his Warrant, to have the said Sandeford brought before him; who, having examined the Truth of the Business, shall report the same to the House.

Scots Declaration.

The House being informed, "That the House of Commons had appointed Six of their Members, to receive the Declaration of the Scotts from their Commissioners;" this House appointed the Earl of Northumb'land, Earl of Holland, the Lord Maundevill, and the Lord Rob'ts, to join with the said Committee of the Commons, for the receiving of the said Declaration, and to report the same to the House.

Letter to the Lord General, about the Relief of Coventry.

"May it please your Excellence,

"From Buckingham we gave you an Account of our Intentions to relieve Coventree, which put us both upon long and hasty Marches, wherein we were somewhat relieved by the Kindness of the Country as we passed along, especially from Northamptonshire, where our Soldiers had very good Entertainment, and the Assistance of One Hundred and Twenty Dragooners; the last Night we came to Soucham, within Ten Miles of Coventree, where we were no sooner settled, but we had an Alarm which kept us all upon our Guard the whole Night. This Morning, by that Time One Regiment was drawn forth of the Town, the adverse Horse were discovered; we made what Haste we could, to draw the rest of the Regiments into Order; but, before we could well effect it, they had planted Two Pieces of Cannon, and advanced with Horse and Foot. The Number of the Horse, as we conceive, were about Twelve Hundred, and the Foot Three Hundred, Musketeers and Firelocks, as Captain Legg doth inform us, who, upon the planting of our Cannon, came to the Place where Serjeant Major General Ballard stood, who presently took him Prisoner, concerning whom we desire to know your Excellency's Pleasure what we shall do with them. After the Cannon had played a while on both Sides, they retreated in some Haste; and we, according to our former Resolution, marched up to this Place. There were slain of the adverse Party Four Horses, and some Men both of the Horse and Foot: But, Thanks be to God, we did not receive any Prejudice at all from them. We are here at Coventree, ready to attend the next Occasion of Service, or any Command that you shall be pleased to impose upon

Coventree, August 23d.

"Your Excellency's most humble Servants,

Adjourn.

Adjourn, 10^a To-morrow.