A Weekly Accompt or Perfect Diurnall. No. 1.
< Home | Civil War: Single Issues Indexed by Title[edit]
A Weekly Accompt or Perfect Diurnall: 3–10 July 1643. No. 1.
Note: References to "Mr. Waller" or "Master Waller", concerning the Royalist plot in London refer to Edmund Waller MP, not Sir William Waller the military commander, who is also mentioned in this newsbook.
Munday the 3. of July
On Munday, A great part of the businesse that was agitated in the House of Commons, was concerning Sir John Hotham; The House receiving information, that his Sonne Captain Hotham (who escaped out of Nottinghamshire to Lincoln, and from thence to Hull, after he was apprehended for some matters to be laid to his charge by the Parliaments Forces) was apprehended at Hull; (there being some matters of consequence against him) and that his Father Sir John Hotham endeavouring to make an escape from Hull to Beverley, was taken by the Parliaments Forces, and was (together with his Sonne) bringing up to London. And there being at this time a yonger sonne of Sir John Hothams in Town, he was brought to the House of Commons to be examined touching some Confederacie between Sir John and his sonne the Captain, who denied that he knew of, or was accessary to any plot or confederacie between them, against the State and Parliament of this Kingdome. The House also agreed, that Sir Matthew Boyton should for a time command the Forces in Hull, in the room of Sir John Hotham, who is to be advised by the Committee there.
By Letters out of the West, it was informed that Sir William Waller had very lately given a great defeat to Sir Ralph Hoptons Forces, neare Welles, and that he had taken 140. Horse, 97 prisoners, one Lieutenant Collonel, one Sergeant Major, three Cornets, and three Colours, which was done with the losse of but one or two men of Sir William Wallers. The Country do come in very fast to ayde and assist Sir William, and some forces are comming to him out of Wiltshire, and from Bristoll, and Gloucester.
The mentioning of Gloucester puts me in minde of Hereford, as being a City of some importance not farre from thence, at which place the great service which Sir William Waller did is not to be forgotten, where he tooke Mr. Coningsby the Sheriffe of the County,<ref>Fitzwilliam Coningsby</ref> and Governor of the City prisoner, with many other Gentlemen of quallity, which was such a terrour to the welshmen, that they have stirred very little ever since against the Parliament, but one Vavasor who was in the fight at Keynton feild<ref>The battle of Edgehill</ref> is lately made Governor of Hereford for the King,<ref>Sir William Vavasour of Copmanthorpe</ref> and a new Sheriffe (one Mr Lingen)<ref>Sir Henry Lingen</ref> is sworne, and are indeavouring to raise forces there against the Parliament.
It was ordered that on Fryday next the assembly of Divines which are met together for the holding of a Synod, should keepe a solemne fast at Westminster before their sitting, to crave a blessing from God upon their meeting, and master Newcomen was appointed to preach before them.<ref>Matthew Newcomen</ref>
This day the Councell of Warr mett at Guild-hall for the triall of the Conspirators against the City and Parliament, the Earl of Manchester being president of the said Councell, the first man that was tryed, was Challenour a Linnen-draper in Corne-hill,<ref>Richard Challenor</ref> and after he had spoken what he could for himselfe, he was carryed from the Barre, and Mr. Tomkins (Secretary to the Queens Counceil, and brother in Law to Mr. Waller<ref>Edmund Waller MP</ref>)<ref>Nathaniel Tomkins</ref> was called, and charged that he had wickedly conspired to raise a third party in the City, to joyne with the Kings forces.
That divers members of both Houses of Parliament, and the Lord Major, and the Committee for the militia should be seized on, that he was present at many meetings about the agitating of the said Plot, that he tooke a list of the names of the Parishoners of St. Andrewes Holdborne, thereby to finde out who would be furtherers of this designe, and that he sent messages from time to time concerning the same to Oxford, &c. and after he had spoken what he could for himselfe, in which he shewed very impudent and unseemely gestures, the whole charge being fully proved against him, besides his owne confession, both Challenour and he were adjudged to be carryed from thence to Newgate, and from thence to the place of execution, there to be hanged by the neck till they were dead.
Master Newton (a godly Minister) was desired by some of Mr Tomkines his frinds, to goe with him to Newgate, to communicate some spirituall consolation to him, and when he [Tomkins] came to Newgate, the Marshall which brought him thither, put him in minde to prepare for death on Wednesday morning, he seemed to slight it, and when the shackle was putting on his legges, hee said with a smileing countenance, what these are not fetters of Gold.
Tuesday the 4 of July.
This day Master Waller<ref>Edmund Waller MP</ref> was brought to the House of Commons, where he made a very humble and submissive speech concerning the plot, but did affirme that what he had accused some of the Lords with, was true.
Upon Sunday last the Kings army appeared in a body at Padbury neer Buckinghame, where a party of the Lord Generalls<ref>The Earl of Essex</ref> forces had a small skirmish with them, and soe not daring to stay till our maine forces came in, they retreated away againe. Speaking of the affaires of Buckinghamshire, it puts me in remembrance of Master Hampden,<ref>John Hampden MP was mortally wounded at the Battle of Chalgrove on 18 June</ref> that noble patriot of his Country, whose losse is infinitly lamented in al places; For it is well known to the whole kingdom, how much he suffered for the good of his Country, and that he endured for a long time together (about sixteene yeare since) close imprisonment in the Gate-house about the Loane-mony, which indangered his life, and was a very great meanes to impaire his health, that he never after did looke like the same man he was before and did he not spend a great sum of mony out of his owne estate in defence of the kingdomes right in that great case of ship-mony: And to be breife, as he was induced with more then Ordinary parts of wisdome, knowledge and understanding, so was he as carefull to improve and make a right use of them, so that (like Zachary and Elizabeth)<ref>The parents of John the Baptist</ref> he walked unblameable in all his conversation. That very day which he received that fatall wound, he was just fifty yeares of age, during the time that he lived after, which was just a weeke, he shewed a wonderfull measure of patience and meeknesse, being full of divine sentences, speaking as if he felt noe pain saying, it was nothing but what he dayly expected, and that he had long prepared against that time, and continued of perfect memory, cheerefull spirit, constant in the cause, and encouraging others unto the last, and departe without feeling any payne at all, going out of a sweet slumber into a quiet sleep; He was carried from Tame to Hampden<ref>Clifton Hampden</ref> and interred in his fathers Tomb.
This afternoone the Counsell of Warre sate againe at Guildhall for the trayall of the rest of the conspiratours, the first man that was called to the Barre was Blincorne, sometimes servant to Sir Nicholas Crisp, the next that was called was White, a Marchant, and the third was one Abbot, a scrivener, neer the royall exchange, who being all heard to say what they could for themselves, Blincorne and Abbot were condemned: The judgment against Blincorne being as followeth, and the other not much different, Thomas Blincorne, whereas you have been long accessory and consenting to a most dangerous and wicked plot against the Parliament and Citie, and have not reveiled the same, but took upon you to List the Parishes of Covent-Garden and Westminster, whereby to raise a third part to help to further this designe, that you fetcht the Commission that came from Oxford under the broad seale from the Lady Awbeny to kill, slay, and destroy &c. That you were present at Master Wallers house, and consented to the seizing of diverse members of both Houses of Parliament, and of the Lord Major, and were present at severall meetings, when officers and Commanders were to be made choice of: That you were at the meeting at the three Cranes in the vintery, when the answer to the queries were agred upon, and brought the answer to Master Waller the next morning: That to draw on others into this plot, you tooke upon you to receive letters of recommendation from Oxford to some great Lords there, to helpe to further this designe, and that you were a busie man to gather together the Sea men; all which matters being proved (together with his owne confession) and being duely weighed by the councell of Warre, he was adjudged to be carried from thence to Newgate, there to remaine till he was carried to the place [of] execution, and there to be hanged by the necke till he was dead.
Wensday the 5 of July.
The House of Commons taking into serious consideration the present state of the kingdome, and that the Irish Rebells and other forraine enemies are invited over and already come to the Kings army, to fight against the Parliament, and a great number of them dayly expected, at a conference this day the sence of the House of Commons was made known to the Lords concerning the businesse, and it was moved to the Lords, that in regard forraine aid was invited over from severall parts by the Kings party, and wee could expect now aide from any place but Scotland, that their Lordships would be pleased speedily to make choise of some Members of their House to go with some of the members of the House of Commons into Scotland, as a Committee, to crave the aid and assistance of that Kingdom; (there having a Vote passed that ten thousand of that Nation should come over) and that instructions, should be forthwith drawne up for the said Committee, and that one thing should be for the taking care for the securing of the Northen parts of this Kingdome, which the Lords tooke into consideration, and promised to returne a speedy answere.
The Lord Fairefax having drawne his forces out into the feild had very lately an incounter with the Earl of Newcastles forces, and at the first put the enemy to the worst, yet afterwards thorow the hardiness of some of the Lord Fairefax his men, which were so eager, that they regarded not the word of command, he was forced to retreat to Bradford with most of the foot, and the enemy was against the towne, but Sir Thomas Fairfax was abroad with a strong party of horse, and was expected to fall upon the Rear of the enemy, and so relieve Bradford.
This day, by Letters from Lincoln it as certified, that there was discovered a very dangerous plot: for the betraying of the Towne, Beverly, and Hull, unto the Popish army, for the accomplishing of which treacherous designe, many persons were gotten into Lincolne in a disguised manner, which were to joyne with the Popish party of that towne, to let in the forces which were to be in readinesse at the time appointed: and in pursuance hereof, about threescore men were mounted in a warlike manner in the Close by the Minister, about two or three of the clocke on Sunday morning, and being discovered, the inhabitants of the towne suddainly rose against them, and by securing their persons, happily prevented their plot: Sir Hugh Cholmley at the same time was to have made an attempt against Beverly, with fifteen hundred men, and an attempt was made against it accordingly. Time was it therefore for the inhabitants of Hull to look about them, especially when they saw Captaine Hotham received by his father, whose good actions were not heard of since he left the Lord Fairfax, for the very next day after Sir John Hotham was taken, these fine designes should have been put in execution.
It is a wonderfull thing to thinke that such men as these (especially being so farre ingaged to goe thorow with the trust they had undertaken, and having so long put their hands to the Plough) should looke backe; but these are times of tryall, and amongst those that are not sound, or set their minde onely upon selfe and riches,
Now is the true stil’d Golden age; for Gold Honour is bought, and truth it selfe is sold.
It was often and argument that mr. Tompkins used to the rest of the conspirators; that if they brought their designe to perfection, they should all be made men, meanes and honours should be confirred upon them, with such like allurements, &c. and in case they were discovered, the Parliament could not hang them, but there his pollicy fayled; For this day he and Challener were both hanged for the plot; master Tomkins at Fetter-lane end in Holborne, the other in Cornehill neere unto their dwellings. I hope the malignants will shew themselves worse then the conspirators; for in Abbots confession, under his owne hand produced, and openly read in Court before the Councell of warre at his tryail, he confessed, that he was convinced in his conscience, that it was a most dangerous and wicked plot, and that he did hate and abhorre it, and blesse God that he was taken of and preserved from having his hands imbrewes in the innocent blood that would have been spilt if it had taken effect.
Mister Challenor upon the Ladder, confessed, that he was in an errour, and in a great deal of fault, and that he died justly, and deserved that punishment and when his father tendred him the Kings pardon, saying here is the Kings gracious pardon: master Challenor replyed, Sir I beseech you trouble mee not with it. And although master Tompkins during the time of his execution, carried out the matter as if hee set justice and death and all at defiance, yet could hee not die without confessing it to be a horrid and dangerous plot, saying, I doe acknowledge that affection to a brother in law (meaning master Waller) and affection and gratitude to the King, having been his servant above twenty yeeres, were the two motions which drewe me into this foolish businesse, I have often since declared to good friends that I was glad it was discovered, because it might have occasioned very ill consequences, and truly I have repented having any hand in it.
Thursday the 6. of July.
Thursday the Lords desired a conference with the Commons, at which the Earl of Manchester in the name of the house of Peeres, acquainted the House of Commons, that one of the members of their house which was made choice to go into Scotland, was the Lord Gray of Warke, who having received a command in this present service for the King and Parliament, had acquainted their Lordships that his souldiers were very unwilling that he should leave them, and therefore it might prove some impediment to this Present service at home if he should go, which being taken into consideration by the Lords, they thought good that he should go forwards in the command that he had undertaken, and that some other should bee chosen in his roome to go upon that service into Scotland, desiring the concurrence of the House of Commons therein.
This week, the Lords did also move the House of Commons that the Earle of Carlisle (being a member of their House and a Peere of the Realm) had certaine horses seized on for the service of the King and Parliament, and in regard it was against the priviledge of the members of their house to have their horses seized on, it was desired that they should be restored, which was consented to accordingly.
Many well affected persons of the Citie of London, have made certaine propositions for the speedy raising of an army of ten thousand men for the defence of the Parliament and kingdome, which is an excellent motion and fit to be forwarded by all that would enjoy the benefit of the Gospel with peace and purity: for we dayly see that the Papists spare no cost, nor leave any wayes unattempted to set up publike masse in this Kingdom, and have so farre prevailed, that they have the impudency to have it openly and frequently said at Oxford, within his majesties own Court, notwithstanding his declarations and often protestation against it.
And shall the Protestants sit still and see their God dishonoured and fought against in an open way of Hostility? Was there ever any people (though Heathens) that would not fight for their god? O then let it not be said in Gath, nor published in Ashkelon, that the Papists do more for dead and rotten images (or Divels) then we do for the great and ever-living God.
His Excellency the Earle of Essex, removed on Tuesday last from Tame to Winchenden, about foure miles from Aylesbury, and lay that night at Collonell Goodwyns house; his men were some of them quartered at Aylsbury, at Wadsden, at Grinden, and other Villages thereabouts.
Sir Ralph Hopton did lately write a Letter to Sir William Waller, in a familiar manner acknowledging his former happinesse in his good acquaintance, and expressing much sorrow that it should happen there should be at this time upon any cause, such a difference as now there was between them, desiring that matters might be further treated on and taken up, &c.
Sir William answered him to this effect; That what familiarity had heretofore been betwixt them, was no motive at all unto him to discert the Cause he had undertaken for the King and Parliament, that he desired that he might be convinced of the errour in which he was, and for his own part he would faithfully perform the trust reposed in him: So that although there was a faithlesse Fortescue,<reF>Sir Faithful Fortescue</ref> a revolting Cholmley,<ref>Sir Hugh Cholmeley</ref> a back sliding Sir John,<ref>Sir John Hotham</ref> a deceitfull Captain Hotham, and a Runnagado Hurrey,<ref>John Urrey</ref> yet is there a Loyall Waller; Which no doubt, by Gods blessing, if the Enemy dares meet him in the field, as some say in madnesse and vexation he hath promised to do, he will give as good accompt of his actions, as can be expected from any Gentleman, and a Soldier with the command that he hath.
Friday the seventh of July.
Friday was the Fast for the good successe of the Synod, observed in the Abbey at Westminster, most of the Lords and Commons being there, and so the House sate not. In the fore noon preached Mr. Bowles,<ref>Oliver Bowles. He preached on John 2.17, Zeale for Gods House Quickned. The sermon was printed and survives as British Library E.63[6].</ref> and in the afternoon Mr. Newcoman.<ref>Matthew Newcomen. He preached on Isaiah 62.67, Jerusalem's Watchmen, The Lords Remembrancers. The sermon was published on 23 August, and survives as British Library E.63[7].</ref>
Saterday the 8. of July.
As part of the businesse agitated in the House this day was the expediting of the forces away that are to go for Newcastle.
Both Houses are also agreed for the speedy sending away of a Committee into Scotland for the bringing over of an Army of Scotchmen to ayde the Parliament as before it is mentioned.
The Earle of Warwicke put in certaine shipps from Sea neere Excester and hath raised the seige there, and hath taken store of money and Armes from the Hoptonians in these parts.
On Thursday one master Cromwell (servant to the Queen of Bohemia) arrived here and brought Letters to the Parliament, declaring her urgent occasions for money.
That treacherous Papist the Earle of Antrim, is taken in Ireland, whose brother was sent into England to the Queen to make way for the Earle in negotiating betwixt her majesties Army in the North of England, and the Papists on the borders of Scotland, and with the Rebelles in Ireland, their plot being sett downe by the Queenes consent, for the ruine of Religion, and overthrow of his majesties Loyal subjects, in all the three dominions, as evidently doth appeare by the Letters, Characters, passes and papers, found with the Earle.
A body of the Kings horse (wherein his strength doth cheifly consist) doth remaine as yet about Buckinham, and the Lord Generall hath drawne his forces very neere them, so that if it could be conceived that they would fight with an Army we should suddainly expect to heare of some great actions to be performed there.
There hath beene a great speech this weeke of the Queens drawing neere to Oxford, and some wagers have beene offered to confirme it, but it will appear to be no such matter, for L. Gray, Sir John Gell, and Collonell Cromwell, are very vigilant to attend her remove this way, so are the Northampton and Coventry forces who have drawne themselves into the feild, and are mett upon that designe, upon Dunsmore heath, and it is hard for her to passe any other way.
Sir William Waller hath given another great overthrow to the Lord Hoptons forces, the Earle of Carnarvon is shott through the thigh, and many other Commanders of that side were killed and taken prisoners, with store of horse, some men were lost on our side, but the other side lost 6 for one, Sir Wil. is now persuing the victory, and within few dayes more large accompt will be given of this businesse.
The Lord Fairfax forced his passage from Bradford, from thence to Hull for a supply of Amunition, and from thence he came to Selby, and tooke 2 troops of Horse; the Malignants talke of a great overthrow given to him, but the truth is they lost 2 for one, but at last some of his souldiers not observing the word of Command, they were put to some disorder, and by the flight of a part of them 2 peaces of Ordnance were surprised, which was the greatest losse they had.
Printed for Robert Wood, and John Greensmith: And are to be sold at the White Hinde without Cripple Gate. 1643.
Source: British Library, E.249[25]
Search tags: Arthur Goodwin MP (Collonell Goodwyn), Beverley (Beverly), Buckingham (Buckinham), City of London (Citie of London), Cliftom Hampden (Clifton Hampden), Cornhill London (Corne-hill; Cornehill), Covent Garden (Covent-Garden), Cripplegate (Cripple Gate), d'Aubeny, Earl of Antrim (Earle of Antrim), Earl of Carlisle (Earle of Carlisle), Earl of Carnarvon (Earle of Carnarvon), Earl of Essex (Earle of Essex), Edgehill (Keynton feild), Elizabeth of Bohemia (the Queen of Bohemia), Elizabeth Stuart (the Queen of Bohemia), Exeter (Excester), Fetter Lane London (Fetter-lane), Fitzwilliam Coningsby (Mr. Coningsby), Gatehouse prison Westminster (Gate-house), Grendon Underwood (Grendon), Guildhall London (Guild-hall), Henrietta Maria (the Queen), John Hampden MP (Master Hampden), John Hotham junior (Captain Hotham), John Urrey (Runnagado Hurrey), John Urry (Runnagado Hurrey), Lady d'Aubigny (Lady Awbeny), Lord Fairfax (Lord Fairefax), Lord Grey of Werke (L. Gray; Lord Gray of Warke), Matthew Newcomen (Mr. Newcomen), Nathaniel Tomkins (Tomkins), Oliver Bowles (Mr. Bowles), Oliver Cromwell (Collonell Cromwell), Richard Chaloner (Challener), St Andrew Holborn London (St. Andrewes Holdborne), ship money (ship-mony), Sir Faithful Fortescue (faithlesse Fortescue), Sir Henry Lingen (Mr Lingen), Sir Hugh Cholmeley (Cholmley; a revolting Cholmley), Sir Matthew Boynton (Boyton), Sir Nicholas Crisp (Crisp), Sir William Vavasour of Copmanthorpe (one Vavasor), Thame (Tame), Thomas Blinkhorn (Thomas Blincorne), Waddesden (Wadsden), Wells (Welles), Westminster Abbey (the Abbey at Westminster), Winchendon (Winchenden)
<references/>