GOOD NEWES FROM OXFORD-SHIRE: Being a true Relation of the manner of the taking of the Earle of Berkſhire, Sir Iohn Curſon, Sir Robert Dormer, and divers other Cavaliers in Oxfordſhire, by Colonell Hampden, and Colonell Goodwyn. ALSO The Reſolution of the City of Chicheſter for the defence of the Parliament.
THe great and manifold diſtractions and diſturbances that at this preſent have in a manner overſpread and obſcured the luſtre of this (not long ſince) glorious Kingdome, have of late beene very prevalent. Who ſo looks into the North, may2 ſee a cloud ariſing which portends a ſtorme, a ſtorme of civill warre, growing black and diſaſterous. The actions of the Cavaliers in thoſe parts ſpeak them bloudy and tyrannicall: the proceedings of the Malignant Party continue hoſtile and inhumane, having made deſperate attempts againſt diverſe brave and flouriſhing townes: but hitherto they have not been very proſperous, but have been moſt couragiouſly reſiſted by the inhabitants in moſt places they have come at: you may ſee an example of it in this enſuing diſcourſe, in the attempt of the Earle of Berkſhire to ſurprize the Magazine, and put in execution the Commiſsion of Array in Oxfordſhire.
After the marching out of the forces under the command of Colonell Hampden and Colonell Goodwyn into Oxfordſhire, they had not been long there, but they tooke the Earle of Berkſhire, Sir Iohn Curſon, Sir Robert Dormer, and one more that was a Gentleman of very good quality at Watlington in the County of Oxford, which were come thither with an intent to ſeize upon the Magazine of that part of the county, which was laid in the ſaid towne, and had a purpoſe to put in execution the Commiſſion of Array in thoſe parts, having ſent Warrants to Reding and other places for that purpoſe. Whereupon report being made to the3 Houſe, that Colonell Goodwyn and Captaine Turvill were bringing them up to the Parliament, and would be there in the afternoone; whereupon the Houſe roſe about twelve a clock, and appointed to meet againe in the afternoone: and about three of the clocke the Lords Houſe being complete, the Earle of Berkſhire with the reſt of the Delinquents were brought to the Houſe, and after ſome examination they were ſent priſoners to the Tower, with order that they ſhould attend the Houſe again the next day, which he did accordingly, being brought from the Tower to the Lords Houſe, aed after he was examined concerning his going about to put in execution the Commiſ•ion of Array which was found with him, he was ſent back againe to the Tower, till the Houſe ſhould ſend for him.
The Parliament have received information by a Letter from Oxford, ſignifying that Colonell Lunsford is ſent for hither; and when it was noyſed there that Colonell Hampden had tanen the Earle of Berkſhire, and ſome others: thoſe of the Univerſity and City that were ill-affected to the King and Parliament, feared his coming thither, and cauſed many great pieces of timber to be ſaid croſſe the Bridge to keep out his horſe. Whereby may eaſily be perceived how well the Prelaticall faction, the incendiaries of the kingdom; ſtand affected to peace. 4The knowledge of the Earle of Northamptons violent attempt againſt the Lord Brook hath been acquainted to all, how that by a wile more then valour he tooke and carried away the greateſt part of the Magazine from Banbury, and by that power and ſtrength he thought to poſſeſſe himſelfe of the caſtle of Warwick. But God who doth always aſsiſt the pious and faithfull endeavours of his ſervants, turned his counſell into folly, and all his ſtrength and policie into weakneſſe and impotency. The ſaid Earle had gathered together a great number of men of ſuch mercenary ſpirits, who were induced to ſerve him, not for the honour of the cauſe, but for the advantage of the profered wages, for they were allowed two ſhillings a day during the whole time of the preſent ſervice, and (being men of deſperate fortunes, and altogether deſtitute of preſent ſubſiſtence) were ready to adventure upon any enterpriſe whereby ſomething might be gotten, knowing they had nothing to be loſt. The Earle, I ſay, having gotten the advantage both of ſtrength and men, and the opportunity of time, began to adventure his forces, to bring the whole Countrey into ſubiection. But his intentions were ſoon fruſtrate, for when he was in the higheſt hopes of his ambitious deſignes, expecting that victory ſhould have crowned him the Hector of the field, and the Minion of the day, then did the5 countrey unanimouſly, with the aſsiſtance of divers Voluntiers out of Northamptonſhire, and with a joynt conſent in the vindication of ſo iuſt a cauſe, hazard both lives and fortunes, came and oppoſed the Earle in his raſh and violent proceedings: whereupon the Earle perceiving himſelf ſo ſtrongly oppoſed, after a ſmall combate, he was willing to forſake his former enterpriſe, and was forced with all ſpeed to betake him to a place of ſtrength where he might be ſecure from their proſecution. Mary of his men fell in that skirmiſh, it is reported that about forty men loſt their lives, and paid nature the debt they owed her. He loſt in this skirmiſh the greateſt part of the Militia which he had before taken from Banbury, and had he not ſaved himſelfe by flight, he hardly had ſurvived to have made any more attempts, to the diſquiet of the whole kingdome, and the ſubverſion of the Chriſtian and Proteſtant Religion.
The City of Chicheſter ſtands now in a good poſture of defence, and have declared their Reſolution to the Parliament, being reſolved to adventure both their lives and fortunes for the defence and maintenance of the true Proteſtant Religion, the Lawes of the Land, the Priviledges of Parliament, and Liberty of the Subiect, againſt any that ſhall oppoſe it: yet ſome ill-affected perſons have plotted to betray the Towne, and ſome Miniſters have made ſeditious6 Sermons to that purpoſe. For the prevention of theſe and other diſorders, and to prevent the danger that may ariſe by the malignity of the Popiſh party, The Lords and Commons do declare, That it ſhalbe lawfull for any of his Maieſties Subiects to diſarme all Popiſh Recuſants, and ſuch as ſhall execute the illegall Commiſsion of Array, or ſhalbe actors and aſsiſtants in any of the aforementioned oppreſsions and violences, or ſhall furniſh any Horſe, Arm•s, Money, or other aid or contribution for the maintenance of this unnaturall Warre raiſed by his Maieſty againſt his Parliament: and to ſeize upon their Horſes, Armes, Money and other Proviſions, whereby they might be inabled to diſturb the Peace of the Kingdome.
Ordered to be forthwith printed & publiſhed,