and of the Earle of Denbigh's onely 7 men killed, and some wounded, and about 10 that were too busie pillaging the enemy in the time of the fight, surprised by a strong party. Some report the King was himself in person in this fight. What more were killed or taken prisoners in the pursuit at present we heare not, "Lastly, it was further certified that Sir Wil. Waller being with his forces about the vale of Evesam, and understanding that the Earle of Denbigh was engaged with a party of the King's horse, immediately sent away 2000 horse to his relief; who, notwithstanding the enemy were beaten off from the seige about two houres before they came (as some report) they may undoubtedly do good service in the pursuit." The following, in the leading points, is very similar, from a Book bearing the quaint Title, characteristic of the times, "God's Arke overtopping the World's Waves; or the 3rd Part of the Parliamentary Chronicle." "About the 12th of this instant [June 1644] came certain information, &c. [nearly verbatim as in the preceding Extract, to the words "or dye in the attempt"]"and with this martial and most noble resolution, he drew up his forces, and himself in person, leading them on against the enemy with admirable courage, cryed out thus to his Souldiers, Come on, sirs, follow mee; for by the grace of God I will rescue Colonell Mitton, or lay my bones in the place. And thereupon charged them to so good purpose that he soon freed his for lorn-hope; and in short time put the Enemies to a disorderly flight (if not quite routed them) and was in the pursuite of them, divers miles together. In which flight (as was certainly enformed) the enemy lost above 100 men, which were slain in the place; and among them one person of speciall note was then killed, for whom they made much lamentation; there were also 17 persons of quality taken prisoners, besides the common souldiers, and 30 more afterwards at Master Dudley's House, whom that valiant and most worthy Commander Colonell Rudgeley (who with his Staffordshire forces did singular good service in this fight) tooke prisoners before they could retreat, besides horse and armes; and on the Earle's side was only 7 slain and some wounded." The following Extract is from a work printed at London, May 14, 1646, bearing this Title: "Sir Thomas Fairfax his Summons sent into Oxford, &c. And the Copie of the Articles for the surrender of Dudley Castle to Sir William Brereton, with all Ordnance, Armies, and Amunition, Bag and Baggage." "ARTICLES agreed upon, the 10 day of May, 1646, betweene Lieutenant Colonel Beaumont, Major Christoper Henningham, and Major John Gifford, deputed on the behalfe of Col. Leveson, Governour of the Castle of Dudley, and Colonell Skipkins, Lieutenant Colonell Hunt, and Captaine Stone, Commissioners appointed by Sir William Brereton, Commander in Chiefe of the Forces imployed for redusing of the said Castle, touching the surrender thereof: 1. That all Gentlemen, with their Servants, and all Officers in Commission, shall march away, with their Horses, and Armes, so that they exceed not the number of 30. And, all common souldiers that will march to any of the King's Garrisons, unbesieged, without their armes, and all such as will live at their owne houses, to have protections, submitting themselves to all Ordinances of Parliament; and all Gentlemen Souldiers, and others, to carry with them their owne proper goods, and no more. 2. That they shall have two moneths time to consider whether they will live at home, or depart the Kingdome, without molestation or arrest for any hostel, act, or debt, so far as is in our power; and, to have Passes for that purpose: provided, in the mean time, they doe nothing prejudiciall to the Parliament. 3. That at the end of two moneths, all that will live at their houses, shall enjoy their goods and estates, without plunder or molestation, submitting to all Ordinances of Parliament. And such as will goe beyond seas, to have Passes accordingly, and convenient time allowed them to travel to any port towne, to take shipping, with passes accordingly. 4. That no oath shall be imposed on any Officers or Souldiers that shall choose to goe to the said Garrisons, during the time of their march. 5. That a sufficient convoy be appoynted to such as will march away, and carriages provided for their goods; and not to be forced to march above 10 miles a day; and, to have free quarter in their march, and care taken that no abuse be offered to their persons, or any of their proper goods deminished. 6. That all the prisoners in this Countie belonging to this Garrison shall be released, and likewise all Countrymen and Souldiers in the Castle set at liberty. 7. That the Governour shall on Wednesday next, by 12 of the clock, deliver up the said Castle, with all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition, Victuals, Provisions, Goods, Bedding, and all other accommodation, necessary and belonging to the said Castle, (except what is allowed by the aforesaid articles), and all those safe and unspoyled, unto the said Sir William Brereton, or whom he shall appoynt for service of the Parliament. 8. That (the Parliament giving order) the works, wals, and towre of the said Castle shall be sleighted,* and made uncapable of a Garrison. 9. That all goods in the Castle, that lawfully can be claimed and owned by any of the Country, shall be restored. 10. That all wounded Souldiers shall have liberty to remaine in the Towne till they are cured, and then have Passes, aceording to the Articles. Commissioners for the King. John Beaumont, Christopher Heveningham,+ John Gifford. Commissioners for the Parliament. } { Robert Stepkin,‡ * An absolete word for dismantled. In the Head of the Articles, spelt Henningham, as the name of the Family is pronounced, at the present day. In ditto spelt Skipkins The discrepancies between the first and subsequent accounts are great. Yet, notwithstanding the Parliamentary Statements may be exaggerated, that Party left behind them too evident marks of their power to do extensive mischief. At the time they bombarded the Castle, they took special care to make of God's House, at its foot, "a ruinous heap." The Memorial of their misdoings stands recorded in an ancient Document of the Parish, containing these remarkable words: "In a Parcel of Land, being about an acre and a half, near the Church yard, stood the Vicarage House of St. Edmund. But when the Church itself was burnt down and demolished, in the time of the late Civil Wars, those glorious times, when Religion was reformed to nothing, and Churches were refined to rubbage, or prostituted to the vilest uses,— then the House was burnt with it; and both are buried in their Ruines."-Nearly fourscore years, the House of God lay a melancholy spectacle,an "abomination of Desolation," warning all those who passed by to beware of that spurious Zeal which instigates to "Evil," under a false pretence "that good may come;" leading its blinded Votaries to think that, by injuring man, "they are doing God service!" Nay, so blinded may such people become, as to suppose they are doing an acceptable deed to God by destroying his own Sanctuary! Thus lay this Sanctuary "buried in its own Ruines," till a pious inhabitant of the Town, whose Name was GEORGE BRADLEY, could "not suffer his eyes to sleep, nor his eye-lids to slumber” in the grave, till he had resolved to restore it,uttering at the time, these memorable words: "If by rebuilding that Church, but one Sinner be therein converted from the error of his ways, and save his soul alive, it will be the best use I can make of my Fortune."-Truly of such a man we may say, Exegit Monumentum ære perennius, TEMPLUM PRO TUMULO! Sacri præconia verbi, The contiguous Castle, too, in some degree was restored to its wonted magnificence, the Family of the noble Baron Ward continuing occasionally to reside there, until (except its massive walls) it was totally destroyed by a fresh disaster. This occurred on the 24th of July, 1750: when Conflagration rapidly completed that work of Ruin, which the mighty hand of Time, and the violence of War had failed to accomplish.- On the evening of that day it was discovered to be on fire: and the means for extinguishing conflagration not being then so efficient as now, the flames raged with unabated fury, during three days and nights, till whatever was combustible in the edifice was destroyed. Its roof, chiefly of lead, poured down fiery torrents resembling burning lava, previously to the timbers giving way which supported it. These, falling at intervals, were followed by smothered explosions, like distant thunder; while columns of flame rose up to an astonishing height, visible, especially throughout the hours of darkness, for many miles. |