[MT2W FKoC AAR] Times full of Distemper

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

Peace?

I received a letter from the Earl of Essex. Parliament had decided to re-open negotiations with the King. The letter contained instructions about an arrangement for the release of Montague Bertie, Earl of Lindsey, held at Warwick castle, further directing me to travell to Warwick so as to mediate with the King under the guidance of Robert Greville, Baron Brooke. It also contained an officiall commission from Parliament to delegate on its behalf with the King, a compromise following the Kinges objections to entreating through the Earl of Essex.

I left alone at the end of January, having made arrangements as before for the safetie of my family and for the private tutoring of my son. Arriving at Warwick, I found the castle once again full with men busy with drilling exercises. Officers from France and Germany were training the Ordnance and officers from the Swedish Armie were training the Foote. No effort seemed to be spared in turning these men into steady soldiers.

I was taken to Baron Brooke. He was not alone. Viscount Faulkland had arrived from Oxford. I greeted them both. It appeared that the King desired to ransom Montagu Bertie, the Earl of Lindsey, whom Parliament had accused of treason. However, the King was at the same time refusing to pardon those he himself was deeming to be traitors. Baron Brooke was argueing that there can be no just resolution to this War, if those intrusted by Parliament with the safetie of the Kingdom are to be accused with treason.

“If his Majestyes cause is the Peace and Prosperitie of this Kingdom, he should demonstrate his good will in accommodating the desires of the Parliament. Shall we expect the cause to be more ignoble than its effects?”

Viscount Faulkland reluctantly admitted he was in favour himself of a generall Pardon, saying that indeed “punishing for opinions is a mark that might serve to know false opinions by”. However, he believed only a strong support for the King would provide a permanent resolution to the present Conflict, quoting the philosopher John Hobbes by saying that the war of all against all - Bellum omnium contra omnes - could only be averted by a strong central government. He pointed out the example of the dominions of the Holy Roman Empire that had lapsed for two decades into a fratricidal war that seemed to have no end. He added that “the role of the State was to provide for the Peace and Safetie of its citizens and this contract would become void should the State faill to protect the people”. But Baron Brooke was quick in pointing out that it was the King who had given instructions for the Trayned Bands to open fire upon the demonstrators in London last year, and that the Parliament is, indeed, the voice of his Majestyes subjects and principally concerned with their Peace and Safetie.

It was agreed that I should depart for Oxford in the companie of Viscount Faulkland the following morning, carrying with me the Commission from Parliament and the instructions with the conditions regarding the exchange of the Earl of Lindsey. In the course of the conversations I learnt that there had been public demonstrations in London during the 8th-13th of January, demanding that Peace negotiations be resumed. Peace Petitions had been submitted from the City of London to the House of Lords on the 19th of the month. And indeed a Petition had also arrived from the Commissioners of Scotland, urging a reconcilliation of the King with his Parliament -

"We Your Majestyes humble and faithfull Subjects, considering that the mutuall Relation between Your Majestyes Kingedomes of Scotland and England is such as they must stande or fall together, and the Disturbance of the one must needs disquiett and distemper the Peace of the other, we have taken the Boldnes to shaw Your Majesty that we are heartily sorie and greived to behold these Distractions. We doe make Offer of our humble Endeavours for composing of these Differences; and to that Purpose do beseech Your Majesty, in these Extremities, to have Recourse to the sound and faithfull Advice of the Honourable Houses of Parliament, and to repose thereupon, as the onlie assured and happy Means to establish the Prosperity and Quiett of this Kingedome.”

Coincidentally the King had upon that very same day sent a similar plea, echoing these same thoughts, a gracious Message, which the Lords in London had entertained "with all Joy and Contentment". The message from the King, of which Baron Brooke possessed an awkwardly transcribed text, was saying that –

"His Majesty, perceiving the manifold Distractions which are now in this Kingdom, which cannot but bring great Inconveniency and Mischiefs to this whole Government, in which as His Majesty is most chiefly interested, so He holds Himself by many Reasons most obliged to do what in Him lies for the preventing hereof, doth think fit to make this ensuing Protestation to both Houses of Parliament:

That with all Speed falling into a serious Consideration of all those Particulars which they shall hold necessary, as well for the upholding and maintaining of His Majestyes just and Regal Authority, and for the settling of His Revenue, as for the present and future Establishment of their Privileges, the free and quiet Enjoying of their Estates and Fortunes, the Libertie of their Persons, and Securitie of the true Religion now professed in the Church of England, and the settling of the Ceremonies in such a Manner as may take away all just Offence; which when they shall have digested and composed into One entire Body, that so His Majesty and themselves may be able to make the more clear Judgement of them, it shall then appear, by what His Majesty shall do, how far He hath been from intending or designing any of those Things, which the too great Fears and Jealousies of some Persons seem to apprehend, and how ready He will be to equall and exceed the greatest Examples of the most indulgent Princes in their Acts of Grace and Favour to their People, so that, if all the present Distractions not end in an happy and blessed Accommodation, His Majesty will then be ready to call Heaven and Earth, God and Man to Witness, that He hath not failed on His Part."

It appeared from this badly transcribed text of the Kinges message that he King was asking for a written Declaration from Parliament of an Establishment of parliamentary Privileges and of the settling of the Ceremony of the Church of England, that he may give his Approvall to. With such calls for Peace arriving at once from every quarter, the House of Lords sent propositions to the House of Commons, for negotiations to be reopened with the King, to which the House of Commons agreed without delay. But the House of Commons immediately raised the thorny issue that had ended negotiations previously, namely the Kinges accusations of treason, and more over added another issue - the command of the Armie, the Tower of London and the Kingdomes Castles - even before a Declaration of Parliamentary Privileges might be drafted. A dog may die but once.

[Robin de Bodemloze]

Nice update - having said that, no peace! TO WAR!!

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

Nice update - having said that, no peace! TO WAR!!

Hear, hear!

What good is peace but to preserve idleness? Have mercy for the future historians, so they may have something more to write than about the construction of glass factories and lime kilns. Last but not least, think of my AAR, and my time that will have been wasted.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

A great couple of updates, well done

Thanks for the explaining the language and looking forward to reading the appendix section

Keep it up

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

The Oxford Peace Negotiations

Viscount Faulkland was downcast on our journey to Oxford, the next day. But he was certainly a man who would not avoid conversation and this being after all a Peace mission, I asked him what he thought was the Kinges conception of his powers. He said that the King had the view that was passed down to him by his father, King James I. The late King had made gracious publick speeches, yet in private he held views that were probably not understood by most of his subjects.

“He believed that the absolute prerogative of the Crown is no subject for the tongue of a lawyer nor is it lawfull to be disputed. He believed that he was predestined by God to be a King of England, for after all is not God who is the King of all? And therefore, as it is atheism and blasphemy to dispute what God can do and good Christians contend themselves with His will revealed in His Word, so it is presumption and high contempt in a subject to dispute what a King can do, or say that a King cannot do this or that. So these were also the views of his Majesty. They have also been echoed among learned men, for example by Dr Cowell, Reader in Civill Law at the University of Cambridge, who wrote that “the King is above the law by his absolute power”. But of course, whether his subjects express these views, that is another matter” he concluded with apparent pessimism. He confided to me that he did not consider that an issue to bring the Countrie to Civill War and that the very agony of the War, and the view of the calamities and desolation the Kingdom did and must endure, took his sleep from him, and would shortly break his heart.

I took lodgings in Oxford as Viscount Faulkland took the message I was carrying to the King. Next morning at the Royall Court I had the opportunity to meet again Edward Sackville, the younger son of the Earl of Dorset and asked about his brother and father. His brother had been taken prisoner last November in that venture of Prince Rupert near London, which much distressed his father. From him I learnt that an official delegation from Parliament had already arrived in Oxford separately, severall Members of Parliament in fact - Algernoone Earl of Northumberland, Phillip Earl of Pembrooke and Mountgomery, William Earl of Salisbury, Henry Earl of Holland, Viscount Thomas Wenman and Viscount Richard Dungarvan, Sir John Holland, Sir William Litton, Knights, William Pierpoint, Bulstrode Whitlocke, Edward Waller, and Richard Winwood. That large and auspicious partie had arrived with a Pass provided by Viscount Faulkland and more over with a cart full of supplies of meat and wine, believing in rumours that the King was starving in Oxford. I had later a private meeting with the Earl of Dorset who explained to me the circumstances.

The parliamentary Delegates had brought on that day, the 1st of February a message from London, that had seemed more as terms of surrender for the King and not what the King had expected to be the response to his offer of Peace.

Propositions from both Houses to the King, for accommodating Differences.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

"We, Your Majestyes most humble and faithful Subjects, the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, having in our Thoughts the Glory of God, Your Majestyes Honour, the Prosperitie of Your People, being most grievously afflicted with the pressing Miseries and Calamities which have overwhelmed Your Two Kingdoms of England and Ireland, since Your Majesty hath, by the Persuasion of evill Counsels, withdrawn Yourself from the Parliament, raised an Army against it, and, by Force thereof, protected Delinquents from the Justice of it; constraining us to take Arms for the Defence of our Religion, Laws, Liberties, Privileges of Parliament, and for the Sitting of the Parliament in Safetie; which Fears and Dangers are continued and increased, by the raising, drawing together, and arming, of great Numbers of Papists, under the Command of the Earl of Newcastle; likewise by making the Lord Herbert of Ragland and other known Papists Commanders of great Forces, whereby many grievous Oppressions, Rapines, and Cruelties, have been and are daily exercised upon the Persons and Estates of Your People; much innocent Blood hath been spilt, and the Papists have attained Means of attempting, with Hopes of effecting, their mischievous Design, of rooting out the Reformed Religion, and destroying the Professors thereof.

"In the tender Sense and Compassion of these Evils under which Your People and Kingdom lie (according to the Duty which we owe to God, Your Majesty, and the Kingdom for which we are trusted) do most earnestly desire that an End may be put to these great Distempers and Distractions, for the Prevention of that Desolation which doth threaten all Your Majestyes Dominions; and, as we have rendered, and still are ready to render, to Your Majesty, that Subjection, Obedience, and Service, which we owe unto You; so we most humbly beseech Your Majesty to remove the Causes of this War, and to vouchsafe us that Peace and Protection, which we and our Ancestors have formerly enjoyed under Your Majesty and Your Royal Predecessors, and graciously to accept and grant these our most humble Desires and Propositions:

"1. That Your Majesty will be pleased to disband Your Armies, as we likewise shall be ready to disband all those Forces which we have raised; and that You will be pleased to return to Your Parliament.

"2. That You will leave Delinquents to a legal Trial and Judgement of Parliament.

"3. That the Papists may not only be disbanded, but disarmed according to Law.

"4. That Your Majesty will be pleased to give Your Royal Assent unto the Bill for taking away superstitious Innovations; to the Bill for the utter Abolishing and Taking away of all Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors and Commissaries, Deans, Sub deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, Canons, and Prebendaries, and all Chaunters, Chancellors, Treasurers, Sub-treasurers, Succentors, and Sacrists, and all Vicars Choral and Choristers, old Vicars, and new Vicars, of any Cathedrall or Collegiate Church, and all other their Under officers, out of the Church of England; to the Bill against scandalous Ministers; to the Bill against Pluralities; and to the Bill for Consultation to be had with Godly, Religious, and Learned Divines: That Your Majesty will be pleased to promise to pass such other good Bills, for the Settling of Church Government, as, upon the Consultation with the Assembly of the said Divines, shall be resolved on by both Houses of Parliament, and by them be presented to Your Majesty.

"5. That Your Majesty having expressed, in Your Answer to the Nineteen Propositions of both Houses of Parliament, hearty Affection and Intention for the rooting out of Popery out of this Kingdom; and that, if both the Houses of Parliament can yet find a more effectual Course to disable Jesuits, Priests, and Popish Recusants, from disturbing the State, or eluding the Laws, that You would willingly give Your Consent unto it; that You would be graciously pleased, for the better Discovery and speedier Conviction of Recusants, that an Oath may be established by Act of Parliament, to be administered in such Manner as by both Houses shall be agreed on, wherein they shall abjure and renounce the Popes Supremacy, the Doctrine of Transubstantiation, Purgatory, Worshiping of the Consecrated Host, Crucifix, and Images; and the refusing of the said Oath, being tendered in such Manner as shall be appointed by Act of Parliament, shall be a sufficient Conviction in Law of Recusancie.
"That, for the more effectual Execution of the Laws against Popish Recusants, Your Majesty would be pleased to consent to a Bill for the true levying of the Penalties against them; and that the same Penalties may be levied and disposed of in such Manner as both Houses of Parliament shall agree on, so as Your Majesty be at no Loss; and likewise to a Bill whereby the Practice of Papists against the State may be prevented and the Laws against them duly executed.

"6. That the Earl of Bristoll may be removed from Your Majestyes Counsels; and that both he and the Lord Herbert, Eldest Son of the Earl of Worcester, may likewise be restrained from coming within the Verge of the Court; and that they may not bear any Office, or have any Employments, concerning the State or Commonwealth.

"7. That Your Majesty will be graciously pleased, by Act of Parliament, to settle the Militia both by Sea and Land, and for the Forts and Ports of the Kingdom, in such a Manner as shall be agreed on by both Houses.

"8. That Your Majesty will be pleased, by Your Letters Patents, to make Sir John Brampston Chief Justice of Your Court of Kinges Bench; William Lenthall Esquire, the now Speaker of the Commons House, Master of the Rolls; and to continue the Lord Chief Justice Banks Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas; and likewise to make Mr. Serjeant Wylde Chief Baron of Your Court of Exchequer; and that Mr. Justice Bacon may be continued, and Mr. Serjeant Rolls and Mr. Serjeant Atkins made Justices of the King's Bench; that Mr. Justice Reeves and Mr. Justice Foster may be continued, and Mr. Serjeant Phesant made One of the Justices of Your Court of Common Pleas; that Mr. Serjeant Creswell, Mr. Samuell Browne, and Mr. John Puleston, may be Barons of the Exchequer; and that all these, and all the Judges of the same Courts for the Time to come, may hold their Places by Letters Patents under the Great Seal, quamdiu se bene gesserint; and that the several Persons not beforenamed that do hold any of these Places beforementioned may be removed.

"9. That all such Persons as have been put out of the Commissions of Peace, and of Oyer and Terminer, or from being Custodes Rotulorum, since the First Day of April, 1642 (other than such as were put out by the Desire of both or either of the Houses of Parliament), may again be put into those Commissions and Offices; and that such Persons may be put out of those Commissions and Offices as shall be excepted against by both Houses of Parliament.

"10. That Your Majesty will be pleased to pass the Bill now presented to Your Majesty, to vindicate and secure the Privileges of Parliament from the ill Consequence of the late Precedent, in the Charge and Proceedings against the Lord Kymbolton, now Earl of Manchester, and the Five Members of the House of Commons.

"11. That Your Majestyes Royal Assent may be given unto such Acts as shall be advised by both Houses of Parliament, for the satisfying and paying the Debts and Damages wherein the Two Houses of Parliament have engaged the Public Faith of the Kingdom.

"12. That Your Majesty will be pleased, according to a Gracious Answer heretofore received from You, to enter into a more strict Alliance with The States of the United Provinces, and other Neighbour Princes and States of the Protestant Religion, for the Defence and Maintenance thereof against all Designs and Attempts of the Popish and Jesuiticall Faction to subvert and suppress it, whereby Your Subjects may hope to be free from the Mischiefs which this Kingdom hath endured through the Power which some of that Party have had in Your Counsel, and will be much encouraged, in a Parliamentary Way, for Your Aid and Assistance, in restoring Your Royall Sister and the Prince Elector to those Dignities and Dominions which belong unto them, and the relieving the other distressed Protestant Princes, who have suffered in the same Cause.

"13. That, in the General Pardon which Your Majesty hath been pleased to offer to Your Subjects, all Offences and Misdemeanors committed before the Tenth of January, One Thousand Six Hundred and Forty-one, which have been, or shall be, questioned or proceeded against in Parliament, upon Complaint in the House of Commons before the Tenth of January, 1643, shall be excepted; which Offences or Misdemeanors shall nevertheless be taken and adjudged to be fully discharged against all other inferior Courts; that likewise there shall be an Exception of all Offences committed by any Person or Persons, which hath or have had any Hand or Practice in the Rebellion of Ireland, which hath or have given any Counsel, Assistance, or Encouragement, to the Rebels there, for the Maintenance of that Rebellion; as likewise an Exception of Wm. Earl of Newcastle, and George Lord Digby.

"14. That Your Majesty will be pleased to restore such Members of either House of Parliament to their several Places of Service and Employment, out of which they have been put since the Beginning of this Parliament, that they may receive Satisfaction and Reparation for those Places, and for the Profits which they have lost by such Removall, upon the Petition of both Houses of Parliament; and that all others may be restored to their Offices and Employments, who have been put out of the same upon any Displeasure conceived against them for any Assistance given to both Houses of Parliament, or obeying their Commands, or forbearing to leave their Attendance upon the Parliament without Licence, or for any other Occasion, arising from the unhappy Differences betwixt Your Majesty and both Houses of Parliament, upon the like Petition of both Houses.

"These Things being granted and performed, as it hath always been our hearty Prayer, so shall we be enabled to make it our hopefull Endeavour, that Your Majesty and Your People may enjoy the Blessings of Peace, Truth and Justice; the Royalty and Greatness of Your Throne may be supported by the loyal and bountifull Affections of Your People; their Liberties and Privileges maintained by Your Majestyes Protection and Justice; and this public Honour and Happiness of Your Majesty and all Your Dominions communicated to other Churches and States of Your Alliance, and derived to Your Royal Posteritie, and the future Generations in this Kingdom for ever."

The letter began by accusing the King of raising an Armie against Parliament, which albeit true was not the best way to begin a process of reconcilliation. It offered that both sides disband their Armies - yet on conditions that the Deliquents in the Kinges Partie would be left to judgement by Parliament. That the Archbishop of Canterbury and all Bishops of England and all Priests and Vicars of any Cathedrall and of Collegiate Churches would be abolished; that the King should assent to a set of Laws passed by Parliament on Religious Reform and would agree to an Oath for all members of the Church such that they should renounce Popes Supremacie, the Doctrine of Transubstantiation, Purgatorie, Worshipping of the Consecrated Host, the Crucifix, and Images; and the refusing of the said Oath, being tendered in such Manner as shall be appointed by Act of Parliament, shall be a sufficient Conviction in Law of Recusancy. The King should more over agree to the Nineteen Propositions presented to him in June last year, that he had then rejected. And also agree to surrender the forts and ports of the Kingdom so that their government will be decided by the two Houses of Parliament. And that while he should vindicate the Earl of Manchester and the five members of Parliament he had previously accused of Treason and remove such accusations cast upon others, he should accept that the Earl of Newcastle and Lord Digby should be tried for Treason. The message was not devoid of conciliatory intentions and words of grace but such conditions could not lay the foundations of a peacefull settlement, said the Earl of Dorset.

What was the Kinges Answer?

“He made a short answer, the effect of which was that he would give a further answer” said the Earl of Dorset - “the wording of it is being worked out presently with Viscount Faulkland. I beseech God turn all hearts to Peace and Repentance, that so the publick will and private soull may find mercy in time before it be ever too late to ask it, or beyond condition of remedy to hope for” he concluded.

On the matter that I was intrusted with, the King desired the release of certain prisoners and was prepared to pay ransom for them. He wished this exchange to take place outside the politicall discussions. The Earl of Dorset was more over worried about his son Richard and urged me to take a message to the Earl of Essex regarding his ransom. My Commission was to discuss the release of Montagu Bertie alone but it was not beyond the call of moral duty to take this message to the Earl of Essex, especially considering how entangled every issue was with every other.

On my return to Oxford on Friday it so happened that the King sent for the Parliamentary Representatives and told them, that he had considered the Propositions presented unto Him from both Houses of Parliament and returned his Answer. Which was

“My Lords,

"I was always for Peace; and I am more concerned in it than any, being the Father of the Country, next under God. I cannot chuse but speak, though I thought to have said nothing: I confess I am surprized. Though I have seen somewhat of this, yet I believed them not to have been such. They that principally contrived them, had no Thoughts of Peace in their Hearts, but to make Things worse and worse. Yet I shall do My Part, and take as much Honey out of the Gall as I can. I will think of them, and take a Time to give you My Answer."

This message was passed from the House of Lords to the Commons as soon as it was received, urging that it was “a Matter of great and serious Consideration; and to desire them to take it into their Care and serious Thoughts”.

I expected there would be further exchanges between King and Parliament and hoped for the best, though I had little faith that these talks would bring Peace. Viscount Faulkland passed me a letter with the Kinges offer to ransom Montagu Bertie, the Earl of Lindsey, which I was obliged to take to Baron Brooke.

On my return to Warwick Castle, however, I saw Baron Brooke on a War footing. Prince Rupert had found an opportunity during the Peace Talks to take Cirencester. More over, Ralph Hopton had marched into Devon and there had been skirmishes in one of which some Royalists were killed, among them a Royalist Colonell, Sidney Godolphin, a former Member of Parliament that had gone over to the King. To Baron Brooke it had seemed that these opportunistic attacks were uncalled for, when Parliament was suggesting the disbandment of both Armies. So that he had resolved to take action in equall measure.

Baron Brooke took the letter from the King and opened it. The King desired to ransom the Earl of Lindsey for 500 pounds. But he did not have the easy temper to consider it. Rather he seemed distressed with the Royalist commanders and would rather leave that decision to the Committee of Safetie. He asked me if I thought the Kinges advisors were Papists but I confessed not to have met any such, though it was said Lord Digby was a Catholick. As for Viscount Faulkland, he had the most thoroughly Reformed views, having said that if one honestly tried to perceive God, he would either be granted that privilege by His Grace or, should he faill, he would be forgiven on the grounds of his sincere purpose, so that one needed not the guidance of a True Church or True Doctrine as expounded by the Church of Rome – a Church he did not even consider to be True.

To my mind, this rather seemed as saying that discovering Truth is not important, only the seeking of Truth is, albeit with Gods Grace. Yet should Gods Grace be not sufficient to lead one to Truth, what would then prevent people from believing in fallacies? There seemed a sense lacking in that logick but Baron Brooke responded in the vein that Viscount Faulkland had argued by saying that Faith and Reason differ in degree only, not in nature and that they are different shapes under which truth is present to our view. “When you see some things precede others,” he said, “it is allowable to call the one a cause and the other an effect. But in reality, all being is an emanation from above, diversified only in our apprehension.” He was arguing that cause and effect are only perceived as such because we have no vision of the unitie of the Creation. “If we knew this truth,” he added, “that all things are one, how cheerfully, with what modest courage, should we undertake any action, reincounter any occurrence, knowing that that distinction of miserie and happiness, which now so perplexeth us, has no being except in the brain”.

I had doubts as to whether Baron Brooke believed what he said in earnest or rather sought to justify in this way his decision to fight a War against the King. Because by that argument - that cause and effect are illusory - Peace would not be preferable to going to War, both of them being but phenomenal illusions of a universall unitie.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Good update Were those the actual peace terms? (the ones in the spoiler)

Looking forward to the next update Although it's kind of a shame when you already no the eventual outcome Can you make it so the Royalists win

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

Good update Were those the actual peace terms? (the ones in the spoiler)

Looking forward to the next update Although it's kind of a shame when you already no the eventual outcome Can you make it so the Royalists win

The peace terms in the spoiler were, indeed, the actual terms. Parliament seemed rather uncompromising. It appears both sides then believed that they really had God on their side.

There is a long way to go and I guess everything is possible. However, I have not tweaked the AI to such an extent that it is impossible for Parliament to win. May I also remind you that Parliament had deprived all those among its members who supported the King of their seats, and imprisoned several royalist sympathisers on charges of treason - so speak softly.

An update should be up later today.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Thanks for letting me know about the terms

Looking forward to the update

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

Siege of Lichfield, Feb-Mar 1643 - Baron Brooke vs Charles Gerard and the Earl of Chesterfield

It was certain Baron Brooke would take no decision on the fate of Montagu Bertie, the Lord of Lindsey, until he had heard from London. In any case, his mind was fully now on war. A cannon foundry was being built in Warwick castle and the stables were being enlarged. Horses were obtained from the countryside and he intended to raise and train a regiment of Horse. But he would rather not wait for these projects to reach completion and resolved to surprise the Royalists in the West Midlands. So he set out from Warwick castle with his Regiment of Purple Coat Foote, his four cannon and a few troops of Horse and Dragoons. I joined his Lifeguard with some apprehension, as I was placing myself in unecessary danger and we were marching very much into the unknown. Save for the fortuitous involvement of my troop in capturing Winchester, this was likely to be my first real campaign in this War.

We headed north, towards Stratford-upon-Avon and on the way there we encountered on the 25th of February a Royalist force under Charles Gerard and Colonell Wagstaffe on Welcombe Hill. Baron Brookes assessment was that we could make the top of the hill with our Horse and charge down on the Royalists, as long as our Foote could hold them occupied. Should this plan work, victory seemed certain. So Baron Brooke deployed his Regiment of Foote in battalia and they marched at a brisk pace against the Royalists. The Horse then headed for the top of the hill.

Charles Gerard was not fooled. He gave orders to his men to race up the hill side, to stop our Horse from gaining the summit. And so a race began, man against horse, but the ground was so broken with hedges, fences and shrubbery that this race was a very tight one so that the Royalist Foote were upon us before we could gain the top of Welcombe Hill. Some of the Royalist musketiers took cover behind the hedges and fired at us. When we would find some clear ground they would leap in our midst, charging us with swords, those that had them, or else with the butts of their muskets. And this battle took a very different shape than what we had imagined. Rather than charging the Royalist Foote down the hillside we were entangled in a melee among the hedges and wood thickets, where there was no space to reform and make a charge. Several of our companions were unhorsed and when we thought we were clear of the Royalist musketiers, we were surprised by Charles Gerard who fell upon us with his Lifeguard. So that rather than going to the aid of our Foote we were now instead hoping our Foote would come to our rescue.

We exchanged sword thrusts, horses whining and men screaming, and could neither flee nor charge, being caught in a melee among the bushes and hedges. Some Royalist musketiers joined their Generall and others fired from behind cover. Further up the hill the rest of our Horse was also entangled with the Royalists but at last it seemed two troops of Horse gained the top of the hill. From there, they charged down the Royalist Foote and routed some of their musketiers. But it only served to bring a certain balance to the battle and certainly no victorie. Further down the hillside, our musketiers were being held up by Colonell Wagstaffes pikemen, while our own pikemen were trailing behind, slowly making the hard work of gaining the hillside lumbered with their heavy pikes. So that there seemed but little hope our Foote would come to our aid in time. At that point we wondered if it served us better to turn and flee – but there was little free space around us and, if we turned away, we would be hacked to our deaths. Charles Gerard offered quarter to Baron Brooke but even though he might have been cursing himself, Baron Brooke had no mind to surrender. He lashed back, prefering perhaps to die than surrender, when there was a sudden firing of muskets and pistols. At last one of our troops that had made the hilltop had charged down at some musketiers and having routed them, fell upon the rear of that body of men we were engaged with. Instantly I turned to Baron Brooke and shouted: Fly Sir! And we flew down the hill as fast as we could. I would say all of us, but there were but nine of us only left.

And so we galloped another way back to our Foote who were making good progress now up the hill. The Royalist musketiers had been routed by our Horse and were being scattered all over the hillside. The Royalist pikemen, left unsupported, were retreating slowly and in good order towards their Generall. But finding themselves fired upon from several sides they began to lose cohesion. So that Colonell Wagstaffe disengaged and ordered a retreat. He joined Charles Gerard and together they fled towards Stafford.

But being thoroughly shaken despite our victory, Baron Brooke did not give chase. We entered Stratford-upon-Avon and settled down there for the night.

Baron Brooke decided we headed next for Lichfield, where a small Royalist force under the Earl of Chesterfield was holding the town for the King.

Lichfield had no castle, nor walls, and indeed we took the town easily. But its Royalist garrison had barricaded themselves in the precinct of the Cathedrall and from there put up a strong defense. The Cathedrall was on a slight rise next to a small lake and was surrounded by walls that abutted the hillside. So that these walls were impregnable to our light saker cannon, but even the demi-calverins caused little damage.

We exchanged musket fire with the Lichfield garrison, as Baron Brooke sent messages to other commanders in the region to bring over their men and cannon.

But the defenders held on and so the bombardment was continued the following morning and our men approached where they could the Cathedrall Close and sought some way in through the houses lining it on most sides.

It seemed to be a very well chosen position, difficult to break in.

The part the Cathedral Precinct on the side of the small lake remained unexplored and our Horse run the gauntlet under enemy fire to the side of the lake. There at last we found a passage between two houses that we thought to be unguarded and entered the precinct of the Cathedrall, only to be confronted by a company of pikemen.

I could not stop thinking we had walked once again into a trap. I noticed some musket shots coming from the towers of the Cathedrall, we were too exposed to that fire and it would not take long those men to notice our Generall was among us.

“Sir, we should not want victorie so much as to buy it with your life”, I said to Baron Brooke – and warned him that there was fire coming out of the church towers. “Let us find a safer way”, I added and he understood and turned his horse. Then just as he was turning around, his horse was shot under him and he fell. But he was not seriously hurt and I gave him my horse, so that he could retreat back to our men. As for myself, the pikemen would not give me chase and I made my way back to our force safely.

Baron Brooke gave orders for our cannon to fire at the towers of the Cathedrall, that were soon badly damaged. But that did not curb the Royalist resistance.

Next day, the 3rd of March, reinforcements arrived from Derbyshire under Sir John Gell. He brought some men but no ordnance. We settled for the night in the town, as Sir John Gell sent his men to search houses and interrogate the citizens of Lichfield about a way into the Cathedrall. But having gained no insight, he decided to arrest all the known Royalists in the town. Next day he led an attack with the arrested Royalists as hostages, walking in front of his men. The defenders were so terrified to see their own friends and relatives in the middle of the battlefield that they held their fire and indeed Sir John Gell made good progress and came up to the walls of the Cathedrall Close but it was all in vain because his men could get no further. He was enough of a gentleman not to threaten to kill his captives to force the defenders into surrender - and neither did the defenders surrender themselves voluntarily. His men were unable to break the gates to the precinct open, so at last he retreated. But the fighting continued all through that day and the next.

On Saturday, the 4th March, further reinforcements arrived from Cheshire under Sir William Brereton. He brought with him a mortar device that he had picked up in Coventry. It could fire granadoes on a high arch that with some luck might explode over the wall and above the heads of our enemie.

Although the first shots fell short, the mortar was brought closer to the south wall and some granadoes exploded as intended above the heads of the defenders so that the bombardment had its desired effect in demoralising our adversarie. The Earl of Chesterfield surrendered and his men were granted free quarter – they were let go to Stafford after giving up their arms. As for the Earl of Chesterfield, he was sent to London and imprisoned in the Tower.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

I'm from Lichfield! Although I remember there being 3 Sieges

Great update, keep it up

[The Norseman]

Love the AAR

[Robin de Bodemloze]

Great few chapters Loved the battle pics with the cathedral

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

I'm from Lichfield! Although I remember there being 3 Sieges

Great update, keep it up

The war is coming to your town then. There will be a second siege soon. Stay tuned. I hope you approve the cathedral - maybe I have left too much space around it but it looked nice that way. It was unfortunately not possible to recreate the original walls, I could not find high enough models. So I used the ruined walls, which are a bit lame.

Baron Brooke was killed in that siege in actual history by the way. But he survived both campaign battles, though he came close to getting killed. Maybe Captain Locke by warning him that his life was in danger has set in a butterfly effect?

Love the AAR

Thanks Norseman! It's a tough call living up to real history, at least it involves quite a bit of reading and a worry not to let your real characters down.

Great few chapters Loved the battle pics with the cathedral

Thanks Robin. Recreating Lichfield was a fun if time consuming undertaking. I have to apologise for the delay on my next post. Real life can't wait. However, I should be able to post a chunky update on the Thirty Years War on my other AAR in the next couple of days.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Indeed, I don't remember it being that spacious

It's great, no worries about the wall - I'll forgive you this once

And Brooke, yes indeed he was killed - shot by 'Dumb Dyott' a man who couldn't see or hear (I think) who was standing on the highest tower, the greatest Royalist marksman

Damn Locke!

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

Indeed, I don't remember it being that spacious

It's great, no worries about the wall - I'll forgive you this once

And Brooke, yes indeed he was killed - shot by 'Dumb Dyott' a man who couldn't see or hear (I think) who was standing on the highest tower, the greatest Royalist marksman

Damn Locke!

Perhaps that is just legend or else Baron Brooke should have fired all those military advisers from Sweden, Germany and France if his Regiment could not defeat a garrison whose best marksman was blind, deaf and dumb. I have heard a version that it was a stray shot that had ricochetted against a wall. Baron Brooke was one of the more colourful characters and one of the more able commanders, shame to lose him so soon in the actual war. On the other hand, I also feel a bit guilty of running behind actual history. Maybe Baron Brooke will eventually get killed, if he goes on risking his life that way.

The next update on Lichfield is likely to be three posts down but with a bit of luck I may manage to knock the next couple of posts off quickly.

New post coming up, I appreciate everyone's comments critical or not (they almost never are), but please do not post on post #101.

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

Propositions for the Cessations of Arms

While at Lichfield, dispatches reached us from London about the negotiations with the King. On the 24th of February Parliament debated the proposals following a consultation with the Lord Generall, the Earl of Essex. A finall proposall was ready by the 28th of February. It was decided that the proposals would be carried to Oxford by a delegation of two members of the House of Lords and four members of the House of Commons. First, however, a messenger had to go to Oxford to obtain the necessary passes for the members of the Committee. Viscount Faulkland responded with a letter from the King on the 3rd of March, offering passes to all members of the Committee but Lord Say and Sale, whom the king had previously accused of Treason

"His Majesty hath sent a Safe Conduct for the Earl of Northumberland, Mr. Pierpoint, Sir William Armyne, Sir John Holland, and Mr. Whitlock; but hath not admitted the Lord Say to attend Him, as being excepted against by Name, in His Proclamation at Oxford, of the 3d of November, and, by Writ to the Sheriff, proclaimed then in that County, in which His Majestyes Intention is declared, to proceed against him as a Person guilty of High Treason”.

The letter, dated 3rd March 1643, added that the King was willing to offer a pass to any Lord that would be considered a suitable replacement. And that he was prepared to accept a Treaty of 20 days in which the clauses of the Parliamentary Proposall could be one by one discussed and agreed upon in strict sequence.

The Kinges Answer, concerning the Committees attending Him with the Propositions for a Cessation.

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"To the Right Honourable the Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore."
The Kinges Answer, concerning the Committees attending Him with the Propositions for a Cessation.
CHARLES R.

"His Majesty hath sent a Safe Conduct for the Earl of Northumb. Mr. Pierpoint, Sir Wm. Armyne, Sir John Holland, and Mr. Whitlock; but hath not admitted the Lord Say to attend Him, as being excepted against by Name, in His Proclamation at Oxford, of the 3d of November, and, by Writ to the Sheriff, proclaimed then in that County, in which His Majestyes Intention is declared, to proceed against him as a Person guilty of High Treason, and so falling to be within the Case of Sir John Evelyn; who, upon the same Exception, was not admitted to attend His Majesty with the rest of the Committee at Colebrooke, in November last. But His Majesty doth signify, that, in Case the House shall think fit to send any other Person in the Place of the Lord Say, that is not included in the like Exception, His Majesty hath commanded all His Officers, Soldiers, and other Subjects, to suffer him as freely to pass and re-pass as if his Name had been particularly comprised in this Safe Conduct.

"His Majesty is content that His Proposition concerning the Magazines, Forts, Ships, and Revenue, and the Proposition of both Houses for the Disbanding of the Armies, shall be first treated of and agreed of [before the proceeding to treat upon any of the other Propositions]; and that, after, the Second of His Majestyes and the Second of theirs be treated on and agreed of; and so on in the same Order; and that, from the Beginning of the Treaty, the Time may not exceed Twenty Days, in which He hopes a full Peace and right Understanding may be established throughout the Kingdom."

Moreover in a separate letter the King proposed that as Parliament had taken a month to respond to his proposals and there had been no consent, but that the proposals now needed to be debated in Oxford, it would not be possible for the Treaty to begin on the following day, the 4th of March, as originally intended. So the King proposed a provisionall new date for the start of the Treaty, the 20th of March. He also proposed ammendments on the proposed Treaty, which now was to have seven parts.

The King's Answer to the Propositions for a Cessation of Arms

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The King's Answer to the Propositions for a Cessation of Arms
"CHARLES R.

"His Majesty hoped the Treaty would have been begun and the Cessation agreed on long since, and that much might in this Time have been concluded, in order to the Peace and Happiness of the Kingdom; but since in almost a Month (for His Majestyes Propositions were made on the Third of February, and He heard not since from both Houses till the First of March) no Consent hath been yielded to it, He conceives the Cessation cannot begin so soon as the Fourth of this Month, by which Time (though His Majesty uses no Delay in making His Answer) the same can hardly be returned to them; and many of the Articles now presented to Him from both Houses concerning the Cessation are so strict, that such of His good Subjects who are not of His Armie (and for whom generally He shall always have a principal, just, and compassionate Regard) receive not any Benefit or are restored to any Liberty thereby, which His Majesty shall ever insist upon (when in Matters merely concerning Himself, He may descend to easier Conditions), and which He hath returned with such Alterations as He doubts not both Houses will consent to; and do sufficiently manifest how solicitous His Majesty is for the Good of His People, and desirous He is that, in this unnatural Contention, no more Blood of His Subjects may be spilt (upon which He looks with much Grief, Compassion, and Tenderness of Heart), even of those who have lifted up their Hands against Him; and His Majesty therefore desires (against which He can imagine no Objection can be made) that the Cessation may begin upon the Twelfth of this Month, or sooner if the Conditions of the Cessation should be sooner agreed on, and is willing that the same continue for Twenty Days; in which Time He hopes, by the Treaty, and the clear understanding of each other, a full Peace and Happiness may be established throughout the Kingdom; and, during that Time, His Majesty is willing that neither Side shall be bound or limited by this Cessation, in any other Wise, or to any other Purpose, than is hereafter expressed:

"1. First, That all Manner of Arms, Ammunition, Money, Bullion, and Victuals, passing for the Use of either Armie, without a Pass or Safe Conduct from the Generals of each Armie, may be stayed and seized on, as if no Cessation were agreed on at all.

"2. That all Officers and Soldiers of either Armie, passing without such Licence or Safe Conduct as aforesaid, may be apprehended and detained, as if no such Cessation were agreed on at all; and that all Manner of Persons, His Majestyes Subjects, of what Quality or Condition soever (except Officers and Soldiers of either Armie) shall pass to and from the Cities of Oxford and London, and back again, at their Pleasures, during this Cessation, as likewise to and from any other Parts of His Majestyes Dominions, without any Search, Stay, or Imprisonment of their Persons, or Seizure and Detention of their Goods or Estates; and that all Manner of Trade, Traffic, and Commerce, be free and open, between all His Majestyes Subjects, excepting as aforesaid between the Officers and Soldiers of either Armie, or for Arms, Ammunition, Money, Bullion, or Victuals, for the Use of either Armie, without a Pass or Safe Conduct as aforesaid, which may be a good Beginning to renew the Trade and Correspondency of the Kingdom, and whereby His good Subjects may be restored to that Liberty and Freedom they were born to, and have so happily enjoyed till these miserable Distractions, and which, even during this War, His Majesty hath to His utmost laboured to preserve; opening the Way, by most strict Proclamations, to the Passage of all Commodities, even to the City of London itself.

"3. That His Majestyes Forces in Oxfordshire shall advance no nearer to Windsor than Wheatley, and in Buckingamshire no nearer to Aylsebury than Brill; and that in Berkshire the Forces respectively shall not advance nearer the one to the other than they shall be at the Day to be agreed upon for the Cessation to begin; and that the Forces of the other Armie in Oxfordshire shall advance no nearer to Oxford than Henley, and those in Buck no nearer to Oxford than Aylsebury; and that the Forces of neither Armie shall advance their Quarters nearer to each other than they shall be upon the Day agreed on for the Cessation to begin, otherwise than in Passage and Communication between their several Quarters respectively, without any Acts of Hostilitie each to other; but may enlarge themselves within their own Quarters respectively, as they shall find convenient.

"4. That the Forces of either Armie, in Glo'stershire, Wiltshire, and Wales, as likewise in the Cities of Glocester, Bristoll, and the Castle and Town of Berkley, shall be guided by the Rule expressed in the latter Part of the precedent Article.

"5. That, in Case it be pretended on either Side that the Cessation is violated, no Act of Hostilitie is immediately to follow; but first the Party complaining is to acquaint the Lord Generallon the other Side, and to allow Three Days after Notice given for Satisfaction; and, in Case Satisfaction be not given or accepted, then Five Days Notice to be given before Hostilitie begin; and the like to be observed in the remoter Armies, by the Commanders in Chief.

"6. That all other Forces, in the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, not before mentioned, shall remain in the same Quarters and Places as they are at the Time of publishing this Cessation, otherwise than in Passage and Communication between their severall Quarters, as is mentioned in the latter Part of the Third Article; and that this Cessation shall not extend to restrain the setting forth or employing any Ships for the Defence of His Majestyes Dominions, provided that His Majesty be first acquainted with the Particulars, and that such Ships as shall be set forth be commanded by such Persons as His Majesty shall approve of.

"7. Lastly, That, during the Cessation, none of His Majestyes Subjects be imprisoned, otherwise than according to the known Laws of the Land; and that there shall be no Plundering or Violence offered to any of His Subjects.

And His Majesty is very willing, if there be any Scruples made concerning these Propositions, and Circumstances of the Cessation, that the Committee for the Treaty nevertheless may immediately come hither, and so all Matters concerning the Cessation may be here settled by them."

3rd March 1643

Baron Brooke was not happy at this turn of events, for it seemed there was a time of uncertainty in which military operations could not be conducted, especially should the Truce take effect in March. Yet for the time being he decided that, as Prince Rupert had ceased his attacks, we remained pensive in Lichfield and that William Brereton might return to Cheshire. Baron Brooke also passed me a letter from the Committee of Safetie that an exchange of prisoners shall follow the Treaty with the King should there be a Generall Pardon and if not, Montague Bertie might be exchanged only if we be assured that the King will not execute any of the prisoners he holds as traitors. So that it seemed for the present time we had to wait at Lichfield for news of the Oxford Treaty.

In the mean time, the Kinges message had been forwarded to the Lord Generall for his advice and he made severall observations that can be summed up as follows:

1. The free passage of goods between the regions held by the King and those held by Parliament would offer opportunities for breaking the Truce, because it would lead to many disputes as to which goods were to be used in the war (as such were exempted from free passage) and which not. So the Earl of Essex proposed a ban on all trade between the two war parties.

2. Not only was the free passage of goods a problem but also the passage of men. For the King could well cashier say 500 of his men and send them as civilians to London to foster rebellion and obtain intelligence. The Earl of Essex proposed, therefore, also a ban on any movement of individuals without a pass from one set of regions to the other.

3. Finally, there was an issue about how to regulate the passage of goods and men from one set of regions to the other by sea.

Report from the Committee appointed to advise with the Lord Generall about the Articles for a Cessation of Arms

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9th March 1643

Report from the Committee appointed to advise with the Lord Generall about the Articles for a Cessation of Arms

The Lord Newnham and the Lord Hunsden reported, "That they, with Four of the Members of the House of Commons, have waited on the Lord Generall, to receive his Advice concerning the Kinges Answer concerning the Articles touching the Cessation of Arms.

"And the Lord Generall, calling to his Assistance some of the Councill of War, upon Consideration, offered some Inconveniencies, which will ensue by the Articles of Cessation offered by His Majesty."

The said Report following the consultations with the Lord Generall was read, as followeth
"The Committee of Lords and Commons, appointed to advise with his Excellency upon His Majestyes Answer, and Articles of the Cessation from Arms, received from his Excellency this following Answer:

"That howsoever any Cautions which his Excellency shall propound, by Way of Advice, concerning the Cessation as is now by His Majesty propounded in these Articles, may be subject to Misinterpretations, as if he were disaffected to Peace; nevertheless, in Satisfaction to the Desire of both Houses, his Excellency offereth unto their Consideration these following Inconveniencies:

"To the First Article, these Difficulties are propounded:

"1. That it cannot possibly be known or discerned what Carriages of Arms, Ammunition, Money, Bullion, and Victual, are intended for the Use of the Armie, and which are not; whereby continual Contentions are like to arise upon the Guards of the respective Quarters, which will endanger the Violation of the Cessation, and the Breach of the Treaty.

"2. The Words in the last Clause being ambiguous, the Generals of each Armie ought to be made clearer by this Expression, [" the Generals of both Armies, as well of His Majestyes as of the Parliament Armie"].

"To the Second Article:

"1. It is not discernable who is a Soldier and who is not; and then who was a Soldier Yesterday may To-day be cashiered, for to qualify him for another Design, in either Armie: And, as this Article lieth, Five Hundred of His Majestyes Armie may be cashiered for the Purpose, and sent into London, to be in the Head of the malignant Party: Besides, if they be Soldiers, or no Soldiers, the unrestrained Passage of all other Persons must of Necessity infuse Intelligences and bad Impressures in the Minds of Men in each Armie; and the Passage of Commodities, which must be attended by divers Persons, will open a Way to the same Inconveniencies. Moreover, upon the free Passage of Commodities, will of Necessity follow the Importation of Money into each Armie, which is agreed to be restrained by the First Article. Furthermore, in Passage of Carriages unsearched by Water or Land, all Manner of Warlike Provisions, and Goods Contraband, may be packed up and carried into each Armie, as soon as the Carriages, who pretend to go to another Place, be past the Guards of the respective Quarters; neither can the Search of Goods and Persons be made without great Disputes and Quarrels, whereby daily Breaches and Interruptions of the Cessation are to be expected.

"In Consideration of which Premises, it will be safer for the Subject to restrain the Passage of Commodities for a small Time, which, being but of Twenty Days at the most, cannot be of any great Prejudice.

"To the Third Article, it is said, That the Clause of the Communication betwixt the several Quarters respectively admits of so great a Latitude, that thereby the Forces of Cornwall and Newcastle may be drawn together without Violation of the Cessation.

"To the Seventh, it is said, That the former Part of this Article, prohibiting to imprison any Subject otherwise than by the known Laws of the Land, doth contradict the Second Article, which giveth Licence to apprehend and detain Soldiers that have no Safe Conduct by Law of War.

"For the latter Part of the Article, it is requisite to explain it thus, ["That no Violence shall be offered to any Subject, unless it be in Case of Disobedience to the Orders of One or both Houses of Parliament"].

Parliament subsequently drafted another Proposition for the Cessation of Arms on the 14th of March, debated on the 15th of March with a finall resolution reached on the 17th. This final version was taken to Oxford in great haste by a messenger, for the King had proposed in his last message the 20th of March as the day when the Truce would begin.

Articles for the Cessation of Arms

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17 March 1643

Articles for the Cessation of Arms

"The Lords and Commons in Parliament, being still carried on with a vehement Desire of Peace, that so the Kingdom may speedily be freed from the Desolation and Destruction wherewith it is like to be overwhelmed if the War should continue, have, with as much Expedition as they could, considered of the Articles of Cessation, with those Alterations and Additions offered by His Majesty, unto which they are ready to agree, in such Manner as is expressed in these ensuing Articles -

"1. That all Manner of Arms, Ammunition, Victuals, Money, Bullion, and all other Commodities, passing without a Safe Conduct from the Generals of both Armies, as well of His Majestyes as of the Armies raised by the Parliament, may be stayed, and seized on, as if no such Cessation were agreed on at all.

"2. That all Manner of Persons, passing without such a Safe Conduct as is mentioned in the Article next going before, shall be apprehended and detained, as if no such Cessation were agreed on at all.

"3. That His Majesty's Forces in Oxfordshire shall advance no nearer Windsor than Wheatly, and in Buckinghamshire no nearer to Aylesbury than Brill; and that in Berkshire the Forces respectively shall not advance nearer the one to the other than they shall be at the Day to be agreed on for the Cessation to begin; and that the Forces of the other Armie raised by the Parliament shall advance no nearer to Oxford than Allsbury; and that the Forces of neither Armie shall advance their Quarters nearer to each other than they shall be upon the Day agreed on for the Cessation to begin.

"4. That the Forces of either Armie; in Gloucestershire, Wilts, and Wales, as likewise in the Cities of Gloucester and Bristoll, and the Castle and Town of Berkley, shall be guided by the Rule expressed in the latter Part of the precedent Article.

"5. That, in Case it be pretended on either Side that the Cessation is violated, no Act of Hostilitie is immediately to follow; but first the Party complaining is to acquaint the Lord Generall on the other Side, and to allow Three Days after Notice given for Satisfaction; and, in Case Satisfaction be not given or accepted, then Five Days Notice to be given before Hostilitie begin; and the like to be observed in the remoter Armies, by the Commanders in Chief.

"6. That all other Forces, in the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales, not before mentioned, shall remain in the same Quarters and Places as they are at the Time of the Publishing of this Cessation, and under the same Conditions as are mentioned in the Articles before; and that this Cessation shall not extend to restrain the setting forth or employing of any Ships for the Defence of His Majestyes Dominions.

"7. That, as soon as His Majesty shall be pleased to disband the Armies, which both Houses earnestly desire may be speedily effected, and to disarm the Papists according to Law, the Subjects may then enjoy the Benefit of Peace, in the Liberty of their Persons, Goods, and Freedom of Trade: In the mean Time, the Generals and Commanders of the Armies of both Sides shall be enjoined to keep the Soldiers from Plundering, which the Two Houses of Parliament have ever disliked and forbidden.

"And, for the speedy settling of this so-much desired Peace, they have thought good to send their Committees, with Instructions, that, if His Majesty be pleased to consent to a Cessation so limited and qualified, they may forthwith proceed to treat upon the Propositions; and, because the Time is so far elapsed in these Preparations, they desire the Cessation may begin the Five and Twentieth of this Instant March, or sooner if it may be; and, in the mean Time, Notice be given to all the Forces in the several and remote Parts; and the Commanders, Officers, and Soldiers, enjoined to observe this Cessation accordingly: To which they hope and pray that God will give such a Blessing, as may produce and confirm Peace, Safetie, and Happiness, to His Majesty and all His People."

In the mean time, while Parliament had been debating the Proposition and prior to its finall submission on the 17th of March, the King had made a Proclamation to prevent the Counties of the South East of England from entering into an Association against him. And though this Proclamation was annulled by Parliament, in fact no separate new Association was formed. Rather Parliament kept the present six - London (Philip Skippon), Eastern (Earl of Manchester), Southern (Earl of Essex), Western (William Waller), Midland (Baron Brooke) and Northern (Lord Fairfax) together with the Commission to the Earl of Pembroke to raise an armie in Wales. William Waller was now gathering his men and marching westward, while Lord Robartes was marching up from Plymouth to join William Waller with his Regiment.

Nathaniell Fiennes, a Member of Parliament for Banbury, was appointed governor of Bristol. On the 27th of February upon arriving in Bristol, he arrested its governor, Colonell Essex, who had been eager to compromise with the Royalists. He afterwards ordered the triall of the two chief Royalists, Robert Yeomannes and George Boucher, who had planned to surrender Bristol to the Kinges Armie in December. And in that triall severall discoveries were made revealing a plan for a great massacre intended for those of the citizens well affected to Parliament.

Yet not far behind Nathaniell Fiennes came Prince Rupert who, having taken Malmsbury seemed now intent upon besieging Bristol and on the 9th of March was seen but 4 miles from Bristol. As for Prince Rupert, finding Bristol well defended by our Regiment of Horse and its garrison, did not lay siege upon it. So that indeed Peace was preserved.

But that was not so everywhere for another piece of news reached us that the Queen had sailed from Holland and had landed at Birdlington in Yorkshire in February, bringing with her money and supplies for the Kinges Armie. On the 10th of March news reached Parliament that Birdlington had been bombarded by our Ships and that a cannon shot had landed in the house where the Queen was that day, killing a man who stood by her. And that was not all, for Parliament had also received a letter from Lord Fairfax about two battles that had taken place in Yorkshire, for it seemed that much like Baron Brooke, Lord Fairfax was not prepared to let the Kinges Armie by taking advantage of the Oxford negotiations to do as they pleased.

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

Branham Moor, near Tadcaster, 12 March 1643 - Thomas Fairfax vs Colonell Nicholas

Having been bombarded by the English ships at Birdlington, the queen had since moved to York. Along with her had come some volunteers and among those was George Goring, the former governor of Portsmouth who had fled to Holland after defecting to the Royalists. George Goring was put in command of the Royalist Horse in the North and together with the Earl of Newcastle intended to fall upon and destroy the Armie of the Northern Asscociation under Lord Fairfax, so as to bring all the Northern countrie under Royalist control. That might have allowed the queen to move to Oxford with the much needed money and supplies she was bringing for the king. No doubt this grave situation should have broken negotiations with the King lest the countrie would be openned to him to receive such supplies as would gain him an advantage during a treaty. But the Peace Partie in London was strong enough that the negotiations for a Truce and an eventuall Treaty did not stop altogether after the arrival of the queen.

At that time Colonell Nicholas, one of the Royalist commanders under the Earl of Newcastle, was in the area of Tadcaster. He was moving towards Leeds intending to put the town under siege. On the 12th of March, his force was intercepted at Branham Moor by Thomas Fairfax and his Regiment.

Parliament - Thomas Fairfax

Royalists - Colonell Nicholas

Unfortunately for Colonell Nicholas who was hoping for reinforcements from George Goring and the Earl of Newcastle, neither Royalist generall was close enough to offer timely assistance.

Fairfax deployed his men on the high ground of the moor in the Dutch formation, with two companies of Horse on each flank. Those on the left flank laid in ambush in a wood, while those on the right flank were out in the open, protecting the two light cannon Fairfax had placed on that side.

The Royalists had mostly musketeers and only three companies of pikemen. Rather than seeking cover in some protected ground, the Royalist musketiers advanced up the moor but were pinned down by the musket fire raining down upon them. Finally the Royalist musketiers became separated from the pikemen, as the pikemen became distracted by our companies of Horse harassing the Royalist flanks. So that they went off after our troopers and distanced themselves from their musketiers. Inevitably, the Royalist musketiers were subsequently encircled by the rest of the Parliamentarian Horse and the Foote. In the battle that ensued, the Royalists were eventually annihilated. Colonell Nicholas with a few survivors retreated in disorder back towards Tadcaster and from there to York.

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

Battle of Seacroft Moor, 13th March 1643 - Thomas Fairfax vs George Goring

It appeared that the Yorkshire Royalists, having failed to open the country up so as to make contact with the king before the onset of Winter, were again at the onset of Spring attempting to open up a road to Oxford for the supplies and men that the queen had now brought with her. It seemed from what information could be obtained from the captives after the battle that a strong force was marching south from York – two regiments of Foote and another two of Horse and some Dragoons, not counting the defeated regiment of Colonell Nicholas that were their vanguard. So that even after losing that Regiment, the Royalists still had a much stronger force.

The next day, Thomas Fairfax was moving towards Leeds to join up with his father and was upon Seacroft Moor with a companie of Horse in the vanguard. Upon entering a wood at the end of the Moor, the vanguard was ambushed by some Royalist Harquebusiers. The troopers retreated and alerted Fairfax. Fairfax had in his command some of the best units in the region, with several companies of pikemen but only two companies of troopers, having lost several horses in last dayes battle. These troopers were no match for the Royalist harquebusiers and were kept in reserve as Thomas Fairfax resolved to advance towards the end of the Moore with his men arranged in the Dutch formation as in the previous battle. He arranged his men into three battalia at the front and a fourth in reserve with a companie of pikemen protecting either flank. Yet the Royalists were not attacking. Uncertain of their number and wishing to secure the wood from the Royalists, he charged himself into the wood with his Lifeguard, accompanied by the companie of pikemen that were at the right flank. At the same time he sent the rest of his Horse into a second wood on the left, at the edge of the Moor, just out of sight and with orders to prevent any flanking moves by the Royalists from that side.

It ensued that George Goring, a brave and slightly extravagant man, having won the queens trust in Holland had been charged with the two Royalist regiments of Horse and several companies of dragoons as the Leutenant Generall of Horse in the Kinges Northern Armie. He had moved ahead of the Royalist Foote that was under the Earl of Newcastle and guarding the queen and baggage. Having learnt of the disaster that befell Colonell Nicholas, George Goring had begun a search for the armie of Thomas Fairfax. And having gotten another way upon the Moor and seeing Fairfaxes men marching in the open Moor, the Royalists had been perhaps preparing an attack or else keeping a watchful eye, when the vanguard had stumbled into them. George Goring would have been wiser to only skirmish Thomas Fairfax. For they had Horse and Dragoons whereas Thomas Fairfax had mostly Foote. Yet as soon as Thomas Fairfax entered that wood accompanied with his Lifeguard and those pikemen about him, a large force of Royalist Horse attacked him there. But they were pinned down amidst the trees in an uneasy melee with the pikemen. So that rather than charge the battalia of Foote in the open Moor or attempt to outflank them, the Royalist Horse were by degrees drawn into a battle within the wood.

Once in the wood, Gorings Horse were at a disadvantage. They became bogged down in a bloody melee, unable to charge the Parliamentarian Foote. With the Royalist Horse pinned down,Thomas Fairfax overtook the Royalists from the right with his lifeguard and from there they fired upon them with their carbines as they were entangled in that unprofitable battle. Yet, rather than retreat and attempt to draw our Foote out of the wood, they battled on and more and more of their Horse poured in and even some of their Dragoons attempted to attack our men with their swords.

The battle inevitably swang to our favour as the Royalists exhausted themselves in that futile endeauvour. At last , the two Companies of Horse that had been sent to protect the left flank noticed a companie of Dragoons attempting to outflank the Parliamentarian Foote and dashed out of the wood and charged them. The Dragoons retreated in haste towards the rest of their force and the Parliamentarian troopers in pursuing them found themselves charging into the Royalist right flank. It is difficult to judge who was the most surprised or least at ease by that charge - our few troopers or Gorings men. Yet that charge broke those Royalist dragoons and, as they were scattered by that charge, their panic spread to the rest of their force. So that soon the right Royalist flank was turned to flight and the panic spread like contagion to the rest of their comrades. Despite having a strong force of Horse and Dragoons, it was George Goring rather than the Parliamentarian Foote that was in the end surrounded and defeated. The Royalist commander abandoned the field with only a small number of survivors.

Having lost a Regiment of Foote the day before and two Regiments of Horse and the Dragoons on this day, the Earl of Newcastle and the queen halted their southward march and barricaded themselves in York after being joined by George Goring. They stayed in York as if under siege, hoping perhaps that the king would secure a truce, as the safetie of the queen would have been their main concern, having lost much of their armie in these last two battles.

The responsibilitie of stopping that armie from joining with the king had now fallen upon the young Thomas Fairfax and his father in the area of Leeds. And many had began to think of Thomas Fairfax as the Leutenant Generall of the Parliament Armie, also as he had been the most successfull commander in the North of England.

[Robin de Bodemloze]

Hey nice updates! Are the banners in the mod historical? They look very good - something I really miss in the newer games

[Geoffrey of Villehardouin]

Hey nice updates! Are the banners in the mod historical? They look very good - something I really miss in the newer games

The flags were probably an invention of the FKoC team. There are different styles for infantry, cavalry and dragoons. They are historical like everything else about this mod. The large square ones for example are for the infantry and have a number either of stars or of lightning bolts corresponding to the number of the company. One star for example would be for the first company of that regiment.

Sorry for slowing down with my updates. I will hopefully be able to post updates more regularly in July.