FKoC: Quotes

[AlphaDelta]

If you have any ideas for historical quotes it would be a great help if you could post them here. Please include the name of who ever said it.

Cheers

 

[AlphaDelta]

Probably my favourite quote of the war:

Oh Lord, thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget thee, do not thou forget me. March on boys! - Sir Jacob Astley commander of the King's infantry.

 

[Carl von Döbeln]

From the War or the Time period?

 

[AlphaDelta]

Preferably from English commanders, writers or politicians talking about the war.

 

[Carl von Döbeln]

Ok...

 

[Atterdag]

Thomas Hobbes

Leviathan was written during the English Civil War, but only published (if I remember correctly) some years later. Hobbes argued in this work that to keep a well functioning state, free of rebellion and the "war of all against all" said state would have to be ruled by a king with near absolutist powers.

Leviathan:

• So that in the nature of man, we find three principal causes of quarrel. First, competition; secondly, diffidence; thirdly, glory.
• Hereby it is manifest that during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war as is of every man against every man.
• The passions that incline men to peace are: fear of death; desire of such things as are necessary to commodious living; and a hope by their industry to obtain them.
• For he that hath seen by what courses and degrees a flourishing state hath first come into civil war, and then to ruin; upon the sight of the ruins of any other state will guess the like war and the like courses have been there also.
• Reputation of prudence in the conduct of peace or war is power; because to prudent men we commit the government of ourselves more willingly than to others.
• To obey s to honour; because no man obeys them who they think have no power to help or hurt them. And consequently to disobey is to dishonour.

I bet you could find tons of more adequite Hobbes quotes on google though.

Oliver Cromwell

• I am neither heir nor executor to Charles Stuart.
• I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a Gentle-man and is nothing else
• Put your trust in God; but be sure to keep your powder dry.
• We will cut off his (the king's) head with the crown on it!
  

 

[AlphaDelta]

Another great quote:

“By what lawful authority do you bring me to trial?”

Charles I

Thank you Atterdag, just the calibre of material I'm after (especially the cromwell type quotes (short and sweet)).

Cheers

 

[Der Angelsachse]

"Wee are both upon the stage and must act in those parts that are assigned us in this Tragedy. Let us do it in a way of honor and without personall animosities... - Lord Hopton's letter to Sir William Waller.

"I detest this warr without enemie, but I looke upon it as opus domini, which is enough to silence all passion in mee." - Lord Hopton

"Now did our ffotte beleive no man theire equals, and were soe apt to undertake anything, that the hill upon which the rebels stood well fortyfied could not deterre them; for desired to fall on and cried lett us fetch those cannon." - Colonel Walter Slingsby Lansdown Hill 1643

"My Lord, we have got the day, and let us live to enjoy the fruits..." - Henry Wilmot, Battle of Edgehill

"There the fox stood gazing at us." - Unknown Royalist officer on Sir William Waller, Lansdown Hill.

"For though they were twice our number, no men ever charged better than ours did that day." - Captain Richard Atkyns

" Royalist cannon did some terrible execution among us at the first and were somewhat dreadful when men's bowels and brains flew in our faces." - Sergeant Henry Foster.

"God made them as stubble to our swords." - Cromwell

 

[AlphaDelta]

Incredible, just incredible.

Please keep them coming.

Cheers

 

[AWZC]

Cromwell; "Magna Carta? Magna Farta!" (note this is 100% true)

 

[BritPatriot1815]

____

 

[Atterdag]

After a quick google march.
Alternatively you could split these up into smaller quotes. Thus easing the work a bit.

Charles I Stuart

• ‘You lost a great deal of blood for me that day and I shall not forget it. For a lawyer, a professed lawyer to throw off his gown and fight so heartily for me, I must need think very well of it.’ Charles to Sir Edward Lake, who had just fought at Edgehill.
  
• ‘Your king is both your cause, your quarrel and your captain. The foe is in sight. The best encouragement I can give you is this, that come life or death, your king will bear you company and ever keep this field, this place and this days service in his grateful remembrances.’ Charles speaking to his commanders on the eve of battle.
  
• ‘Go in the name of God and I’ll lay my bones by yours.’
  
• ‘Your cheerfulness in this service I shall requite if it be in my power. If I live not to do it, I hope this young man, my son, your fellow soldier, to whom I shall particularly give it charge, will do so.’ Charles speaking to a large group of people on Dartmoor, referring to his eldest son.
  
• "Possibly I may be found in the hands of the Earl of Essex, but I shall be dead first!"

This is not from the period, but I thought it could be used anyways..

“Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?” - Victor Hugo

 

[AWZC]

The Solemn League and Covenant.
[Taken by the House of Commons, September 25, 1643. Rushworth, t. 478. See Great Civil War, i. 229-236.]
A solemn league and covenant for Reformation and Defence of Religion, the honour and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland.
We noblemen, barons, knights, gentlemen, citizens, burgesses, ministers of the Gospel, and commons of all sorts in the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, by the providence of God living under one King, and being of one reformed religion; having before our eyes the glory of God, and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the honour and happiness of the King's Majesty and his posterity, and the true public liberty, safety and peace of the kingdoms, wherein every one's private condition is included; and calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots, conspiracies, attempts and practices of the enemies of God against the true religion and professors thereof in all places, especially in these three kingdoms, ever since the reformation of religion; and how much their rage, power and presumption are of late, and at this time increased and exercised, whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and kingdom of Ireland, the distressed estate of the Church and kingdom of England, and the dangerous estate of the Church and kingdom of Scotland, are present and public testimonies: we have (now at last) after other means of supplication, remonstrance, protestations and sufferings, for the preservation of ourselves and our religion from utter ruin and destruction, according to the commendable practice of these kingdoms in former times, and the example of God's people in other nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutual and solemn league and covenant, wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to the most high God, do swear,
That we shall sincerely, really and constantly, through the grace of God, endeavour in our several places and callings, the preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, against our common enemies; the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, according to the Word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches; and we shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion, confession of faith, form of Church government, directory for worship and catechising, that we, and our posterity after us, may, as brethren, live in faith and love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us.

 

[Ardruire Iacób]

Wikiquote-

A few honest men are better than numbers.

• Letter to Sir William Spring (September 1643)

This is our comfort, God is in heaven, and He doth what pleaseth Him; His, and only His counsel shall stand, whatsoever the designs of men, and the fury of the people be.

• Letter to Sir Thomas Fairfax (21 December 1646)

This is a righteous judgement of God upon these barbarous wretches, who have imbrued their hands in so much innocent blood.

• After the Siege of Drogheda, where Cromwell had forbid his soldiers "to spare any that were in arms in the town". (1649)

 

[Tharros]

I found these in a book I have:

'He hath more wit than to be here'
Anne Fairfax, during the trial of King Charles I, January 1649

'There is one certain means I can be sure never to see my country's ruin: I will die in the last ditch.'
William of Orange

 

[Kyrre]

Cromwell:

“The people would be just as noisy if they were going to see me hanged”


Charles:

“I see all the birds are flown.”

“Never make a defense or apology before you are accused.”

 

[Tharros]

May be some Shakespeare?

'Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war.'
William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene i

 

[Icefrisco]

Oliver Cromwell

“You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!”

“The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies.”

“I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a Gentle-man and is nothing else”

“Put your trust in God; but be sure to keep your powder dry”

“No man rises so high as he knows not whither he goes.”

William Laud

“Lord, I am coming as fast as I can: I know I must pass through the shadow of death before I can come to Thee; but it is but umbra mortis, a mere shadow of death... Thou, by thy merits and passion, hath broken through the jaws of death.”

“Behold, I am become a reproach to thy holy name, by serving any ambition and the sins of others; which though I did by the persuasion of other men, yet my own conscience did cheek and upbraid me in it.”

Thomas Wentworth

“Whoever, ravels forth into questions the right of a king and of a people shall never be able to wrap them up again into the comeliness and order he found them.”

“There is a noble and a base side to every history.”

 

[Headlock]

How about some Kings James Bible quotes? Quite appropiate, seeing as his (James I) reigning style was one of the root causes of the Civil War!

*NB - these are only suggested purely for dramatic effect, certainly not in support of any particular belief or set of beliefs. I myself am not in any way religious.

"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts; And I looked and behold, a pale horse;
And his name that sat on him was Death - and Hell followed with him"
Revelation 6:6,

"For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
Revelation 6:17,

"And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them."
Revelation 9:6,

""I reared children and brought them up - but they have rebelled against me."
Isaiah 1:2, 3

I'll see if I can find more Royalist Quotes.

Regards,
HDK

 

[AlphaDelta]

Thanks for all these quotes. I've added them all in, but I'm still lacking about 50 quotes.

Cheers

 

[Ardruire Iacób]

Unfortunately, I only really have quotes from Confederates left, but I'll keep looking. The 'net just doesn't seem to want to supply me.

EDIT: I found you these:

'Tis for Religion that you fight, and for the Kingdoms good,
By robbing Churches, plundering them and shedding Guiltlesse blood.
- Royalist satire on the Puritan Parliamentarians (1662)

'Tis to preserve his Majesty, that we against him fight,
- Royalist satire on the Puritan Parliamentarians (1662)

But all's to no end, for the times will not mend
Till the King enjoys his own again.
- Cavalier ballad


"Since my securing Belvoyere Castle, according to your Excellency's Commands, I find the Country thereabouts, who were formerly very malignant, to be much more exasperated, and give out daily Threatenings to dispossess me"
- Letter from Major Markham, to Thomas Fairfax


"The Times are so full of Distempers, and Mens Hearts so big with Mischief, that I cannot hope to free your Lordship from Advertisements of that Nature"
- Letter from Sir H. Waller, to Thomas Fairfax


"Now they having thus continued about three weeks, most unworthily used in prison, the honest inhabitants of Spalding assembled themselves into a prettie competent strength, and so advanced to Crowland to relieve and redeeme (if it might be) these worthie gentlemen out of their harsh imprisonment"
- Account of the Siege of Crowland

"Not long after Spalding forces assaulted the Town againe in three severall parts thereof at once; Collonel Sir Miles Hobert, Collonel Sir Anthonie Irbie, and valiant and active Collonel Cromwell being now come to their assistance, who all being now neer the Town, good Mr. Ram was again called for"
- Account of the Siege of Crowland

 

[leonn]

"i had swallowed without chewing,in germanje,a verie dangerous maxime,which all militarie men there too much follow;which was,that so we serve our master honestlie it is no matter what master we serve;so without examination.....i resolve to go with that ship i first encountered" sir james turner lord sinclars foot, army of scotland

 

[The Englishman]

"Now let God arise, and his enemies shall be scattered."
-Cromwell before the suprise attack at the Battle of Dunbar

 

[AlphaDelta]

Thanks gents. I need about another 20!

 

[leonn]

"when cannons are roaring and bullets are flying,he that would honour win must not fear dieing".part of a royalist song of the period. "i care not for your causes,i come to fight for your gold and your fine women" quote attributed to colonel augustine a mercenary who fought for parliament and the covenant."you have now done your work and may go play unless you fall out among yourselves".sergeant major general lord astley,as he surrendered the last royalist army in the field at stow in the wold in 1646."the daubing of a coat with lace of sundry colours,as some do use them,i do niether take to be soldierlike,nor profitable for the coat"john malet,1643.

 

[Ardruire Iacób]

'like tossing three balls in one hand, which requires both the eye and hand to be very steeddy, lest one ball do enterfore with another, and all miscarry'

-Sir Henry Slingsby, on an Anglo-Scottish treaty


'We maintayne that the king is king by an inhaerent birth-right; they say his kingly power is an office upon trust'

-Sir John Strangways, Royalist


"out of towne; then came to Oxford with the King. As we marched in Abi[ngdon] I saw a tall stout fellow, whose haire was all matted in elfe locks, very long, and his beard so too, though not so large. His nose cutt or eate off"

-Diary of Richard Symonds, 17 April 1644


"Munday the 10 of June, the Lord Wilmott with his horse went from Worcester on that side of Severne next Hereford, so to Bewdley, and relieved the Castle of Dudley, which was beseiged by the Earle of Denbighe: tooke some prisoners"

- Diary of Richard Symonds, 1644

 

[King of History]

Here's one of my favorites: "You have done your work and may go play, unless you will fall out amongst yourselves" - Jacob Astley, 1'st Baron Astley of Reading upon being captured by Parliamentarians at the battle of Stow-on-the-Wold March 21, 1646.

 

[leonn]

"keep trotting.when in doubt,gallop"colonel a d wintle."pox upon it,say we that would have peace;but the gentry so engaging on the cavaliers side, and the fury of some in parliament,are like to hold on this business".sir robert poynt,1 june 1643."it hath been the constant endeavour of the english nation,who are prone to hate strangers,to blast and blemish my integrity to my uncle".prince rupert,after his dismissal by the king having lost bristol."if you take our cattle,we will give you battle".slogan of the dorset and somerset clubmen,afterwards suppressed by both rupert and parliament."the treasury is exausted,the country is wasted.a summers victory has proved but a winters tale."john rushworth,december 1644."will you go to your death?" the earl of carnwath,a scotsman, preventing charles from charging at naseby."i am sure my men fought well,and therefor know no reason of our rout but this,because the devil did help his servants."rupert,after marston moor."we want money,men,conduct,diligence,time and good council."duke of richmond,writing to rupert,9 june 1644."the women kiss his charger and the little children sing:"prince ruperts brought us bread to eat,from god and from the king"".davenant."your king is your cause,your quarrel and your captain."king charles at edgehill.

 

[leonn]

two more,"i was,by birth a gentleman". oliver cromwell. "may it please your majesty.i have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as this house is pleased to direct me,whos servant i am." william lenthall,speaker of the house to the king when the latter came to arrest the mp"s.

 

[Tharros]

Hey leonn you are getting lots of quotes which is good, but would you mind formatting them? Otherwise AD has to do it. And I'm sure he has better things to do than to edit quotes.