Read Ebook: Boscobel Or The History of his Sacred Majesties most Miraculous Preservation After the Battle of Worcester 3. Sept. 1651 by Blount Thomas

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BOSCOBEL:

JOEL i. 2.

DONCASTER:

REPRINTED AND SOLD BY THOMAS AND HUNSLEY, Sold also by Stoddart & Craggs, Hull; Mozley, Gainsbro'; Slater, Bacon, & Co. Sheffield; and may be had of all other Booksellers.

The book which is here republished contains an account of the sufferings of CHARLES the Second, after the battle of Worcester, until his escape to the continent;--written by a co-temporary, and dedicated to that monarch whose misfortunes he records; we may therefore naturally infer, that the book is a true relation of the same.

This is not the only account that is published, for we find it related by Bates, in his Elenchues, and by the Earl of Clarendon, whose account he received from the king himself.

The subject of this tract is interesting: it teaches us the instability of human greatness. We are presented with a picture of the sufferings of one, by lineal descent born to be the governor of a kingdom, reduced to the alternative of either suffering on a scaffold, or quitting the kingdom in habits of disguise.

When princes forget their subjects, or they their king, then both lose their former allegiance and respect, they become mutual enemies, and their inveteracy does not diminish until one or both are on the precipice of destruction.

When Charles the First ascended the throne, his subjects were tenacious of that religious freedom which they had procured under the reign of a sovereign, whose name will ever be revered by innovators in theoretical principles of religion. They had shaken off their subjugation to the Roman Pontiff, and when he shewed signs of partiality to that persuasion, they dreaded the consequences. They had not yet forgot the atrocities committed in the reign of Mary; and were fearful, that if their liberties were abridged, the same enormities would ensue. They struggled for liberty, and he for power: both felt the lash of civil commotions.

When men are enthusiastically partial to an opinion, they are so zealous in its cause they will die in its support. How many people have suffered on this account, in all classes of religious opinions, in different nations? Such was the case at that period. A rage for polemical divinity took place, and brother against brother fought in support of each other's tenets; each fully assured he was in the right. The same spirit of innovation is too prevalent in the present day: the principles they profess are at variance with the prosperity and happiness of the country. They have made their way into our possessions in the East Indies; and by their influence have brought on disaffection among the native troops. From the organization of their native laws, they are particularly tenacious of their theological principles; according to which a man had better die than be a sceptic; for on embracing any other faith, he must first lose his cast; and in that case he is deserted by all his relatives and countrymen, and driven from the society of all he holds most dear on earth, so that his life becomes insupportable.

Excommunicated by an ecclesiastical court similar to ours, only more rigid in its effects.

In the present state of civil commotions in the European countries, caused by the ambitious views of Napoleon, it is exceedingly impolitic. It is well known that he wishes to add India to his possessions, and in the present disaffected state, nothing is more favourable to his designs; as they would immediately flock to a leader, who would hold out universal tolerance of religion; which has always been his maxim where he has extended his arms. Thus, through the enthusiastic zeal of a few, we may ultimately lose one of our finest possessions.

These people have universally promulgated such doctrines, that they affect the organization of the brain; and have been the ruin of many a happy family, by turning those who unfortunately had weak intellects mad. And, such progress have their tenets made, that we may infer, the period is not far distant when we shall see the orthodox church completely deserted by the middling and lower orders of people.

"For modes of faith, let graceless zealots fight; "His can't be wrong, whose life is in the right."

POPE.

TO THE KINGS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

SIR,

Among the many addresses, which every day offers your sacred Majesty, this humbly hopes your particular gracious acceptance; since it has no other ambition, then faithfully to represent to your Majesty, and, by your royal permission, to all the world, the history of those miraculous providences that preserv'd you in the battle of Worcester, conceal'd you in the wilderness at Boscobel, and led you on your way towards a land, where you might safely expect the returning favours of Heaven; which now, after so long a tryal, have graciously heard our prayers, and abundantly crown'd your patience.

And, as in the conduct of a great part of this greatest affair, it pleased God to make choice of many very little, though fit instruments: So has my weakness, by this happy president, been encourag'd, to hope it not unsuitable for me to relate, what the wisest King thought proper for them to act; wherein yet I humbly beg your Majesties pardon, being conscious to my self of my utter incapacity to expresse, either your unparallel'd valour in the day of contending, or your strong and even mind in the time of your sufferings.

From which sublime endowments of your most Heroick Majesty I derive these comforts to my self, That whoever undertakes to reach at your perfections, must fall short as well as I, though not so much: And while I depend on your royal clemency more then others, I am more obliged to be

Your Majesties

Most loyal Subject,

And most humble Servant,

THO. BLOUNT.

TO THE READER.

Read on and wonder.

After a tedious march, his Majesty with his army arriv'd at Worcester on the 22. of August, having left the Earl of Darby in Lancashire, as well to settle that and the adjacent counties in a posture of defence, against Cromwell and his confederates; as to raise some auxiliary forces to recruit his Majesties army, in case the successe of a battle should not prove so happy as all good men desired.

But on the 25. of August, the Earl's new rais'd forces were totally defeated near Wiggan in that county by Col. Lilburn, with a regiment of sectaries. In which conflict the Lord Widdrington, Sir Thomas Tildesley, Colonel Trollop, Lieutenant Colonel Galliard, with some others of good note, were slain, Col. Roscarrock wounded, Sir William Throckmorton, Sir Timothy Fetherstonhaugh, Colonel Baines and others taken prisoners, and their General the Earl of Derby forced to fly to save his life; In which flight be made a sad choice of the way towards Worcester, whither he knew his Majesties army was design'd to march.

At this place the Earl arrived on the 29. of August but no body was found at home, except William Penderel, the house-keeper and his wife, who, to preserve so eminent a person, adventur'd to receive my Lord, and kept him in safety till Sunday night following, when he convey'd him to Mr. Humphry Elliots house at Gataker Park, which was about nine miles on the way from Boscobel thither. Mr. Elliot did not onely freely entertain the Earl, but lent him ten pounds, and conducted him and his company safe to Worcester.

The next day after his Majesty arrival at Worcester, being Saturday the 23. of August, he was proclaimed King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, by Mr. Thomas Lisens Mayor, and Mr. James Bridges Sheriff of that loyal city, with great acclamations.

The fatal 3. of September being come, his Majesty this morning holds a council of war upon the top of the Colledge-church-steeple, the better to discover the enemies posture; Here his Majesty observ'd some firing at Powick and Cromwell making a bridge of boats over Severn under Bunshill, a mile below the city towards Team mouth; his majesty presently goes down, commands all to their arms, and marches in person to Powick bridge to give orders, as well for maintaining that bridge, as for opposing the making the other of boats, and hasted back to his army in the city.

Soon after his Majesty was gone from Powick bridge, the enemy assaulted it furiously, which was well defended by Montgomery, till himself was dangerously wounded, and his ammunition spent, so that he was forced to make a disorderly retreat into Worcester; and Col. Keyth was taken prisoner at the bridge.

At the same time Cromwell had with much celerity finisht his bridge of boats and plancks over the main river, without any considerable opposition, whereby he might communicate with those of his party at Powick bridge, and was the first man that led the rest over, and then went back himself and rais'd a battery of great guns against the Fort-royal on the South-side the city.

His Majesty being returned from Powick bridge, march'd, with the Duke of Buckingham and some of his cavalry, through the city, and out at Sudbury gate by the Fort-royal, where the rebels great shot came frequently near his sacred person.

Here his Majesty gave an incomparable example of valor to the rest, by charging in person, which the Highlanders, especially imitated in a great measure, fighting with the but-ends of their muskets, when their ammunition was spent; but new supplies of rebels being continually poured upon them, and the Scotch horse not coming up in due time from the town to his Majesties relief, his army was forced to retreat in at Sudbury gate in much disorder.

In this action Duke Hamilton was mortally wounded, of which he dyed within few days; Sir John Douglas also received his deaths wound, and Sir Alexander Forbus was shot through both the calves of his legs, lay in the wood all night, and was brought a prisoner to Worcester the next day.

The rebels in this encounter had great advantage as well in their numbers, as by fighting both with horse and foot, against his Majesties foot only, the greatest part of his horse being wedg'd up in the town; and when the foot were defeated, a part of his Majesties horse afterwards fought against both the enemies horse and foot, upon great disadvantage.

At Sudbury gate a cart loaden with ammunition was overthrown, and lay cross the passage of the gate, so that his Majesty could not ride into the town, but was forc'd to dismount and come in on foot.

During this hot engagement at Perry-wood and Red-hil, the rebels on the other side the water possess'd themselves of S. Johns, and those of his Majesties army that were there, without any great resistance laid down their arms and submitted to mercy.

When some of the enemy were entred, and entring the town both at the Key, Castle hill, and Sudbury gate, without any conditions; Th' Earl of Cleveland, Sir James Hamilton, Col. William Carlis Capt. Tho. Hornyold, Capt. Tho. Giffard, and Capt. Richard Kemble, rallied what force they could and charg'd the enemy very gallantly at Sudbury gate and in the street of that name: Here Sir James and Capt. Kemble were desperately wounded, and others slain; yet this action did much secure his Majesties march out at S. Martins gate, who had otherwise been in danger of being taken in the town.

About the same time Colonel Drummond with a party of Scots maintain'd the Castle hill with much resolution, till such time as conditions were agreed on for quarter; So that the rebels, having at last subdued all their opponents, fell to plundering the city unmercifully, few or none of the citizens escaping, but such as were sectaries and of their party.

When his Majesty saw no hope of rallying his thus discomfited foot, he march'd out of Worcester at S. Martins gate, about six of the clock in the evening with his main body of horse, as then commanded by General David Lesley, but were now in some confusion.

The foot consisting most of Scots were almost all either slain or taken, and such of them liv'd longer to dye for the most part more miserably; many of them being afterwards knock'd o'the head by country people, some bought and sold like slaves for a small price, others went begging up and down, till charity failing them, their necessities brought upon them diseases, and diseases death.

Before his Majesty was come to Barbon's bridge, about half a mile out of Worcester, he made several stands, faced about and desired the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Wilmet, and other of his commanders, that they might rally and try the fortune of war once more. But at the bridge a serious consultation was held, and then perceiving many of the troopers to throw off their arms and shift for themselves, they were all of opinion, the day was irrecoverably lost, and that their only remaining work was to save his Majesty from those ravenous wolves and regicides; Whereupon his Majesty, by advise of his council resolv'd to march for Scotland.

Here his Majesty made a stand, and consulted with the Duke, Earl of Derby, Lord Wilmot, &c. whether he might march at least to take some hours rest; The Earl of Derby told his Majesty, that in his flight from Wiggan to Worcester, he had met with a perfect honest man, and a great convenience of concealment at Boscobel house but withall acquainted the king, it was a recusants house. And it was suggested, that those people were most like to have the readiest means and safest contrivances to preserve him; His Majesty therefore resolv'd to goe thither.

Mean time Lesley, with the Scottish horse, had, in the close of the evening, taken the more direct way Northward by Newport, his Majesty being left only attended by the Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Derby, Earl of Lauderdail, Lord Talbot, Lord Wilmot, Colonel Thomas Blague, Colonel Edward Roscarrock, Mr. Marmaduke Darcy, Mr. Richard Lane, Mr. William Armorer, Mr. Hugh May, Mr. Charles Giffard, Mr. Peter Street, and some others, in all about sixty horse.

At a house about a mile beyond Sturbridge, his Majesty drank and eat a crust of bread, the house affording no better provision; and as his Majesty rode on, he discoursed with Col. Roscarrock touching Boscobel-house, and the security which the Earl of Darby and he found at that place.

His Majesty and his retinue alighted, now, as they hop'd out of danger of any present surprise by pursuit; George Pendrel opened the Dores, and after his Majesty and the Lords were entered the house, his Majesties horse was brought into the hall, and by this time it was about break of day on Thursday morning: Here every one was in a sad consult how to escape the fury of bloud-thirsty enemies, but the greatest solicitude was to save the king, who was both hungry and tired with this long and hasty march.

Richard Penderel conducted the king out at a back dore, unknown to most of the company, and carried him into an adjacent wood belonging to Boscobel, call'd Spring Coppice, about half a mile from Whiteladies; William, Humphrey and George scouting abroad, and bringing what news they could learn to his Majesty in the wood, as occasion required.

His Majesty being thus, as they hoped, in a way of security, the Duke, Earl of Derby, Earl of Lauderdail, Lord Talbot and the rest march'd from Whiteladies Northward by the way of Newport, in hope to overtake or meet General Lesley with the main body of Scotch horse.

In this black tribunal there sate, as judges, these persons, and under these titles:

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